I Love How You Love Me - Part 3

Valentine's Day 2002
1010 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

The florist van pulled up in front of the building. The driver got out and walked inside. "Excuse me, I have flowers to deliver. You have anything special I have to do to bring them in here?" he asked the Marine standing guard.

"If you'll bring the flowers inside, Sir, we'll sweep them. Then you can deliver them," he replied.

"Okay, thanks." The driver went back to the van and pulled out the largest of the four arrangements. He walked back inside and set it on the table. "There are three more," he told the guard.

When the guard finished checking the arrangements, he called for assistance. "No reason for you to have to make so many trips," he explained.

"Thanks, that's a big help," agreed the florist. The four men rode up the elevator to the JAG Ops floor. As they approached the bullpen, another Marine guard held the doors open for them to enter.

"Oh, look! Flowers!" cried Harriett. "How lovely! Oh my... four of them?"

The florist took over. He glanced at the card on the largest arrangement. "I have flowers here for the JAG Ops staff."

Harriett smiled. "That's us," she said. "It's so big. Let's put it over here on this desk," Harriett ushered the florist over to Gunny's old desk. She hadn't had the heart to reassign his desk to anyone yet.

"And one for Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie," said the florist.

All activity in the bullpen had stopped when the florist and Marines walked in. Even those with offices had come out into the bullpen to see what was going on.

"That's me," Mac piped up. "How beautiful! Who could they be from?" she smiled at Harm, who shook his head in the negative.

"And one for Lieutenant Lauren Singer," said the florist.

"That would be me," Singer said. "Who could be sending me flowers at the office?" she mumbled.

"And one for Lieutenant Harriett Sims."

Harriett beamed. "That's me! But who are these from?" she wondered aloud.

Admiral Morris stepped out of his temporary office to find the entire JAG staff standing around admiring flowers. "What's going on out here?" he asked.

Tiner answered, "Flowers, Sir. Someone sent flowers for Valentine's Day, Admiral."

"Well, has anyone read the cards yet?" Morris asked. When everyone shook their heads, Morris reached over and took the card from the large bouquet on Gunny's desk. "'To the JAG Ops team, Remembering all of you on Valentine's Day. Keep up the good work or I'll come back and nail your asses to the wall! Admiral AJ Chegwidden'. Yep, that sounds like him!" Morris chuckled.

Lauren was next to open a card. "Lauren, Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman. Happy Valentine's Day. AJ Chegwidden"

Harriett opened hers next. "Harriett, Pastels always remind me of your special beauty: Soft, gentle, and sweet. Happy Valentine's Day. AJ Chegwidden" Then she noticed something small written across the bottom of the card. She read it to herself, 'P.S. I took your advice; I'm seeing Marcella this weekend. Wish me luck.' Harriett smiled. 'Oh, I'm so glad!'

"Your turn, Mac," Harm said.

Mac was still holding her flowers. "Can't. I'll read it later," she said. Harm reached for the card and opened it. Then he held it in front of her to read. She glared at Harm, but she read the card. "Mac, Couldn't find any Marine green flowers, so I hope these will do. Happy Valentine's Day. Admiral AJ Chegwidden" Mac turned and went back into her office.

"Mac? What's wrong?" asked Harm as he followed her inside.

"Nothing's wrong, Harm. I have work to do, that's all. Give me the card." Harm handed it to her and she laid it on her desk next to the flowers. She sat down and started working. "Did you need something?" she said shortly, looking up at Harm. Harm shook his head, thoroughly confused at her attitude, and walked out. "Close the door, will you?"

Harm pulled her door closed. It wasn't 30 seconds later that Mac's tears streamed down her face. "Admiral AJ Chegwidden? Marine green? Oh God, why did he even bother?" she cried.

About 10 minutes later, Harriett knocked on Mac's door. Mac quickly checked her face in the little mirror she kept stashed in her drawer. "Enter!" she called.

"Colonel, Tiner is putting a call through to Admiral Chegwidden now so we can all thank him for the flowers," Harriett informed her.

"Okay, Harriett, I'll be right there."

Mac stood and composed herself. 'I can do this.' She walked out to the bullpen and into Tiner's office area.

"Admiral Chegwidden's office, Ensign Julliard," the voice said over the speaker.

"Ensign, this is Petty Officer Tiner from JAG Headquarters in Virginia. The JAG staff is calling for Admiral Chegwidden; is he available?"

"No, I'm afraid not, Petty Officer. The Admiral left the office about 30 minutes ago."

"When do you expect him back, Ensign?"

"Not until Monday morning. He's gone for the weekend," the yeoman replied.

"This is Lieutenant Sims, Ensign. Has he all ready left for the Parretti estate?" Harriett asked.

"Yes, Ma'am, he is on his way there."

"Parretti? Marcella Parretti? His ex-wife?" queried Mac.

Harriett nodded. "Does he have a cell phone with him, by chance?" Harriett asked.

"Yes, Ma'am, he does, but it isn't turned on. I already tried it. He did leave me a number at the estate in case of emergency."

"No, that's okay. We don't want to interrupt his weekend. We'll just send him a note or call back on Monday. Thank you, Ensign. If he happens to call you, just let him know that we called to thank him for the flowers."

"Flowers? He sent you flowers, too? Wow!" the Ensign blurted out.

Harriett chuckled. "Yes, he did. We weren't the only ones, I take it?"

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I didn't mean..."

"Answer the question, Ensign," Mac ordered.

"Yes, Ma'am. No, Ma'am. He sent flowers to his daughter and to Mrs. Parretti as well. Probably a host of other women, too. He's quite the ladies man, you know."

"Just what do you mean by that, Ensign?" Mac barked.

"Nothing derogatory, Ma'am, believe me. Admiral Chegwidden is a fine man. One of the best! And the ladies in Italy know it."

"Are you implying that Admiral Chegwidden..." 

"I'm not implying anything about the Admiral, Ma'am," the Ensign was quick to say. "I'm merely stating facts. Admiral Chegwidden has had a date at least three evenings a week and certainly every weekend since he arrived here. He is very popular with the ladies and he takes full advantage of it, as any red-blooded single male would, Ma'am." He groaned inwardly. 'Why did I say that?!'

Mac muttered something under her breath and stormed away. Harriett watched her leave, puzzled at her attitude. She spoke to the Ensign, again. "Thank you, Ensign. Have a nice day."

"Ma'am? If I may ask, who was the other person I was just speaking with?"

"That was Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, Ensign. Goodbye now."

Valentine's Day 2002
1700 CET
Admiral Chegwidden's Office
Naples, Italy

The Ensign picked up the ringing phone. "Admiral Chegwidden's office, Ensign Julliard."

"Chegwidden here, Ensign. I didn't turn this damned cell phone on when I left the office. Looks like you tried to call me. Is there a problem?" AJ said.

"No problem, Admiral. We resolved the situation to everyone's satisfaction, Sir."

"Good, good."

"Admiral, you did receive a call from JAG Headquarters. They were calling to thank you for the flowers, Sir."

"Who called, Ensign?" AJ asked, trying to sound casual.

"Petty Officer Tiner placed the call, Sir. And I also spoke with Lieutenant Sims and Colonel MacKenzie. I was on speaker, so I'm not sure who else was there, Sir."

"Thank you, Ensign."

"Admiral, I should tell you that I rather stuck my foot in it, Sir."

"Again? Julliard, you're going to..."

"I know, Sir. I am sorry. They said if you happened to call in, I should relay their thanks for the flowers. And I blurted out something like 'he sent you flowers, too?'. Admiral, I'm really sorry. I can't think why I..."

"It's okay, Ensign. No harm done."

"But Sir, that's not all. They know you're going to the Parretti estate for the weekend."

"Yes, they do. I mentioned it on one of the floral cards."

"They also know about your being considered a ladies man, Sir."

"WHAT?!"

"Admiral, I just assumed that you must have been the same way there. It never occurred to me that people didn't know. You're so popular here with the ladies, Sir. I just... Admiral, I really... botched it, didn't I?"

"How did they react, Ensign?" AJ tried not to chuckle.

"No one said much except Colonel MacKenzie. She seemed rather upset about it all, Sir. Although she didn't say anything after I told her that you are very popular with the ladies and take full advantage of it, as any red-blooded single male would."

"You said that to a Colonel?" AJ was amazed.

"I didn't know she was a Colonel at the time, Sir."

"No excuse, Ensign."

"I know, Sir."

"We'll deal with this when I get back on Monday, Julliard. Do me a favor though; try to keep my personal life out of your conversations."

"Of course, Admiral."

AJ shook his head as he disconnected the call. "Julliard is worse than Tiner ever was!"

Valentine's Day 2002
1430 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac walked around the office in a daze. AJ was playing the field and having the time of his life, evidently. And now he was going to try to get back with Marcella. Mac had little doubt about his success; she knew Marcella would succumb to his charms.

"Mac?" Harm called her for the third time. "Are you okay?"

"What?" she looked up, surprised.

"I called you three times, Mac. Where were you?"

"Right here, Flyboy. What's up?" she asked as she headed for the break room to get a soda.

"I asked what time you want me to pick you up tonight," he replied.

"For what?"

"Mac, it's Valentine's Day. I thought we'd spent the evening together," Harm said.

"Don't you think it would've been nice to ask me and not just assume I'd be free, Harm?" she quipped as Commander Turner walked in the room.

"Harm, you didn't!" Turner admonished him.

"Like you ever call anyone ahead, Sturgis!" Harm rebuffed.

"I have a date with Bobbi tonight, thank you very much. And I called her two weeks ago!" Turner replied.

"What happened to you, man?"

"I realized that women don't like to be taken for granted, buddy."

"Quite true, Sturgis," agreed Mac. "We don't." She turned to Harm, "And you do just that. You take me for granted. Not any more, Harm." She started out of the break room.

"Mac, wait!" Harm reached for her and pulled her into his arms. "Mac, Honey, I'm sorry if you think I've been taking you for granted. I didn't realize you thought that; I certainly didn't mean to do that."

"You didn't mean to take me for granted? Or you didn't mean for me to realize you took me for granted? Which one, Harm?" Mac threw back at him.

Harm pulled her closer to him. "Mac, will you have dinner with me this evening?" he asked just before he laid his mouth over hers in a tender kiss.

Mac snaked her arms up and encircled Harm's neck and returned his kiss, deepening it.

"Well, what have we here?" asked Admiral Morris, walking in and seeing the spectacle. Harm and Mac stepped apart but didn't apologize. "Oh no, don't let me interrupt. Carry on!" he laughed. He grabbed a soda from the fridge and he and Turner walked out together chuckling. "I wonder if Chegwidden knew about those two? Surely he must have for them to still be working together."

Mac heard AJ's name and flinched as Morris said it. "Mac? Something wrong, Honey?" Harm asked.

She shook her head. "No, but we shouldn't do this in the office. Pick me up at 1900, I guess."

"Don't sound so overjoyed, Mac," Harm chided.

"Don't push it, Harm," she barked. "Just don't push it."

Valentine's Day 2002
2145 CET
Parretti Estate
Naples, Italy

AJ and Marcella were finished with their dinner and were strolling through the garden. It was cold and there were traces of snow on the ground, but neither seemed to mind. Marcella shivered and AJ pulled her close to his side and put his arm around her. He remembered having done the same with Mac on the beach only last month.

"AJ, I meant what I said on the phone this morning," Marcella broke the silence. He turned and looked down at her. "I want it very much," she smiled up at him. "I do not ask for a commitment; I cannot make a commitment without losing everything from Vittorio." AJ quirked his eyebrow at this statement. "His will is very specific. If I marry anyone other than someone he approved, I lose everything. And you, of course, are not on his list."

AJ chuckled. "No kidding."

"And with your position, we cannot live together without marriage. I would not wish this anyway; not with Francesca living so close by."

"She'd be delighted, Marcella," AJ informed his ex-wife.

"Si, I know this. But it would hurt her; I know this, too." AJ wrapped his arms around Marcella. "You will take me now, yes?"

He smiled as he lowered his head to hers and covered her mouth with his own. "I will take you now, yes," he whispered huskily. He scooped her up in his arms and walked inside. "Where to?"

"My bedroom is to the right, my love."

Valentine's Day 2002
2210 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

"Harm that was a lovely dinner. Thank you so much," Mac said as she and Harm entered her apartment.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"And you didn't throw it together at the last minute today, I could tell. I'm sorry I thought you did earlier," she apologized.

"Mac, let's talk to Admiral Morris tomorrow. I don't want to wait anymore for Chegwidden's replacement. For all we know, it'll be Morris," Harm said.

"Harm, I don't think now is the right time. Especially after what he walked in on today."

"What he walked in on today is exactly the reason I think it IS the right time to talk to him, Honey. Mac, he knows now. All we have to do is confirm it and ask to be able to stay together at JAG."

"And if he says no?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"Harm, if you tell him tomorrow, the bridge could very well be there tomorrow! I'm not ready to leave JAG. Are you?"

Harm shifted uncomfortably. "No."

"Then we should wait," Mac said firmly.

"Just as long as we don’t have to stop this," he said, taking Mac into his arms and devouring her mouth. Harm backed Mac against the wall of the living room and started peeling her clothes off.

"Harm. Harm, not out here."

"Why not?" he mumbled in her mouth.

"The bedroom. Please, Harm," Mac requested.

"Anywhere you say, Baby," Harm picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

Tuesday, 9 April 2002
2345 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Harm and Mac spent several nights a week with each other, but Mac still wouldn't agree to their living together.

Mac rolled out from under Harm and picked up the ringing phone on her bedside table. "Hello?"

"Petty Officer Tiner, here, Ma'am. Sorry to bother you, Colonel, but there's been an incident in Naples. Admiral Morris is assigning it to you and Commander Rabb. He wants you on the first transport out in the morning. It leaves Andrews at 0600. He said you should expect to be there at least a week."

Mac gulped. 'Naples? I can't! I can't go there and be near him and have him ignore me. I can't watch him be with other women. I can't do it!' "What happened, Tiner?"

Tiner explained the situation and ended with, "Ma'am, do you happen to know where I can reach the Commander? I've tried both his apartment and his cell phone."

"I know where he is, Tiner. I'll let him know about the assignment. We'll be on the transport in the morning. Thank you."

"Good night, Ma'am."

They hung up, and Mac woke Harm. "Get up, Flyboy. You have to go home and pack. We're going to Italy for a week."

Wednesday, 10 April 2002
0610 EST
Air Force Transport
EnRoute to Naples, Italy

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder, flying high into the sky!" Mac sang softly in Harm's ear.

"Oh, please," he groaned. "Mac, that's Air Force."

She grinned. "I know."

"You'll pay for that, you know," he said.

"Is that a promise?" she teased.

"You're in a good mood this morning," he commented.

Mac shrugged. "Must be because I'm on my way to Europe with my flyboy."

"Couldn't be because you're going to see the Admiral, again, hmm?" he asked cautiously.

Mac jerked her head to look at him. "Why would you say that?"

"Mac, you've been on edge for months. You've been in what most people have called a bad mood for months. It all dates back to just before the Admiral left. Now suddenly you're in a great mood, happy as a clam. And just who are you going to see in a few hours? Chegwidden! What am I supposed to think?"

"Excuse me, Sir? Did I hear you say something about Admiral Chegwidden?" asked the co-pilot.

"Yes, I mentioned him. We'll be seeing him in a few hours. Why?" Harm replied.

"Actually, Sir, Admiral Chegwidden isn't in Naples right now. We flew him to Singapore last week, and we're scheduled to pick him up there and return him to Naples week after next."

Mac frowned. 'He won't be there. Well, isn't that what you wanted? Not to have to see him? Sure, sure, that's what I said... but it's not what I meant!'

"Sorry, Mac," said Harm, seeing her facial expression and noting that she was fighting tears.

"No big deal, Harm. I just thought it would be nice to see him, again. After all, none of us really got to say goodbye before he left," she said quietly.

"You didn't?" he asked. "Didn't he call you?"

Mac looked sharply at Harm. "No. He was busy."

"Are you sure, Mac? Maybe he left you a message?"

"Harm, I ought to know if he called..."

"Mac, he called and said goodbye to Bud and Harriett. I just assumed that he called you, too."

Mac shook her head. But he had called Harriett. Mac was glad of that. She'd never asked Harriett just in case he hadn't; she didn't want to hurt her. "So, he won't be in Italy. We should at least look up Francesca while we're there," Mac said.

"Mac, I'd really rather not do that. You know how Francesca is," Harm said.

"Oh, Harm, for pity's sake. Francesca is the Admiral's daughter and she's a sweet girl. Sure she comes on to you all the time, but you have to admit, you encouraged her. She'll leave you alone this time when she sees that we're together. Her father probably already told her that, anyway."

Wednesday, 10 April 2002
1805 CET
Admiral Chegwidden's Office
Naples, Italy

Harm and Mac walked into the Naval Special Warfare Command Center and were shown directly to the Admiral's office. "Good evening, Sir. Ma'am," said the Ensign as she rose from her chair to greet the senior officers. "The Admiral is expecting you. I'll let him know you're here."

"I thought Admiral Chegwidden was in Singapore?" asked Harm.

"I was," a familiar voice sounded from behind them. "Came back when I heard what happened. Got in this morning." AJ extended his hand to Harm and then to Mac. "Good to see you both." He motioned for them to follow him into his office. "Close the hatch and have a seat." Harm closed the door behind him, and he and Mac took the chairs opposite AJ's desk. "Something funny, Colonel?" he asked, seeing her grin.

Mac flushed. "No, Sir. Not funny. Just a sense of déjà vu, that's all. It feels so right with you behind the desk and Harm and I sitting here waiting for orders," she said softly. "We've missed you."

"That we have, Admiral," Harm agreed.

AJ smiled. "Thank you," he replied. "Now about my yeoman."

"Your yeoman, Sir?" queried Harm.

"Ensign Julliard is my yeoman," AJ explained.

"I'm sorry, Sir. We didn't know," Mac said as she and Harm looked at each other. Now they knew why the Admiral had returned early from Singapore. He was always one to support his people.

"Julliard is young, smart, and very eager to please. But he's also immature, impetuous, clumsy, and lacks good sense. Think of Tiner and Bud, a good five or six years ago, combined into one person," AJ said. Harm and Mac chuckled lightly. "Yes, I think you've got a good picture of him now. I know Julliard; I know he didn't intend any malice toward the General. He simply got ahead of himself and his words tumbled out before he thought about them. I've told him often to think before he speaks. Sometimes he forgets; we're still working on that."

"Sir, the information we received is really rather sketchy," said Harm. "Who is the General that Ensign Julliard allegedly maligned?"

"Actually, there's no question that he did malign the General. But that wasn't his intent. The General is Evan Douglas," AJ said this last as he looked straight at Mac.

"Evan?" she asked incredulously. AJ nodded. "Oh, God. I don't suppose you two are back on good terms, are you?" she asked gently.

AJ shook his head. "No, we're not. He found out that we 'arranged' his night with Natalie, and he's been on the warpath since. I'm surprised he didn't call you about it." Mac shook her head. "Well, he knows I'm seeing Marcella, again, so this is probably his way of getting back at me."

"You're back with Marcella, Sir? That's wonderful, Admiral," said Harm.

"Not back with her, Harm. Just seeing her. I see other women, too."

"And Marcella is okay with that?" Harm asked.

"She doesn't have much to say about it. Francesca, on the other hand..." AJ chuckled. He chanced a glance at Mac. She was frowning. "So, how are the two of you getting along?" he asked.

"Wonderfully, Sir," Harm said, reaching over to clasp Mac's hand.

AJ nodded. "Figured you'd get your head out of your six eventually, Harm."

Harm laughed.

"Is Evan still here?" Mac asked just as the intercom buzzed.

"Yes?" AJ said, picking up the receiver.

"General Douglas is here, Admiral," said the Ensign.

"Send him in." AJ turned to Mac. "Speak of the devil." The door opened and Douglas walked in. Mac and Harm rose from their chairs and came to attention stance in front of the General.

Douglas left them thus. "So, AJ, you want me to let the pipsqueak off, do you?"

AJ looked at Harm and Mac. "As you were," he said. Then turning to Douglas, "Doug, Ensign Julliard is a young, impulsive officer who is still learning the ropes. Being over here, he hasn't had the opportunity of a lot of exposure to high-ranking officers. He practically fell over himself when I walked through the door... every day for the first month! Julliard would never intentionally insult or malign anyone. We've been working on his engaging his brain before his mouth takes over. It just hasn't become second nature yet."

"Look, AJ, the kid..."

"General Douglas, may I speak with you privately, Sir?" Mac interrupted.

All three men turned to look at Mac. Douglas grinned. "Certainly, Colonel." They walked over to one corner of AJ's large office. "What's on your mind?"

"Evan, please don't take out your anger at Admiral Chegwidden and me on this young Ensign. It isn't fair."

Even though they were speaking softly, Harm and AJ could hear every word.

"You played me for a fool, Mac."

"No, Evan, we didn't. What the Admiral did that night, he did for Natalie. She'd wanted you for years, and you'd never shown any interest in her. What I did that night, I did for us. You and me. I had already decided that after the weekend was over, so were we. What we had in Bosnia was just a sexual relationship. It wasn't personal. And after the time we were together that weekend, I knew I didn't want a personal relationship with you."

Douglas looked sharply at her. "You think this is helping your case, Mac?"

"Evan, you and I have nothing in common. Except the Corps and sex. That's it. I want more in a relationship. So I was more than happy to help Natalie into your bed that night. She wanted you; that much was obvious. And from the look you had in your eyes, you wanted her. Are you going to stand here and tell me that you didn't enjoy her?"

Douglas shook his head. "No. I did. Nat is a wonderful woman. And she's good in bed. You're better, but she's very willing."

"Evan, you know what Admiral Ryan said the next day? He said, 'AJ, for someone who's hated Doug for the last 25 years, you sure did a good thing for him last night.' That's what everyone thought, Evan. That you two were finally getting past the hate." Evan didn't look convinced. "And now because AJ is seeing Marcella, again, you're trying to hurt him, lash out at him. Why, Evan? Marcella was never yours; she always belonged to AJ, you know that. And now, when he tried to do something nice for you? Why would you do this?" Mac was almost in tears.

Douglas raised his hand to Mac's cheek. "Mac, what is it about AJ that women find so irresistible?" he asked gently. "What is it that draws them to him?"

"He's kind, Evan. He's gentle and caring. Tender and loving. Considerate, every inch a gentleman. And yet he's sexy, he's demanding, he's explosive."

"And you're in love with him," Douglas said it as a statement, not a question.

"My feelings aren't what's important right now, Evan," Mac replied, not denying it.

Douglas pulled Mac into his arms and hugged her tightly. He lifted her chin and kissed her. "Your feelings are always important, Mac," he said. He turned Mac to his side, and walked back to AJ's desk, keeping Mac with him. "All right, AJ. I'll drop the charges against your yeoman. On one condition."

"What's that?" AJ asked hesitantly.

"Mac has dinner with me tonight?" Douglas turned to look at Mac. She smiled and nodded.

"But Mac, we were going to..." Harm started.

AJ cut him off, "Get used to it, Rabb. Or go to one-night stands. The latter seems to work best for me."

Mac's heart clenched inside her chest. 'One-night stands. That's what I was, obviously. Except that I was two nights.'

"But, Admiral, Marcella isn't a one-night stand. And I never knew you to be a one-night stand kind of man, Sir," said Harm, confused.

"Fairly new rule for me, Harm. When I left DC, I decided that one nighters were all I could handle anymore. Marcella is the exception to the rule. I see her as often as I can, at least once a week."

"AJ, where do you meet all these women I've heard about?" asked Douglas.

"Mostly through my daughter," grinned AJ. "It pays to have a daughter in the fashion industry," he quipped.

"Tell you what, Mac? I'll let you off the hook so you and Rabb can do whatever it was you had planned. If AJ introduces me to some of these gorgeous fashion models," suggested Douglas.

"I can do that," said AJ, punching the speakerphone. He dialed a number.

"Francesca Parretti," his daughter's voice came over the line.

"Hello, Daughter."

"Papa! Hello. I am surprised to hear from you; I thought you had a date with Lucinda tonight."

"I do. Picking her up in about an hour. Francesca, an old friend is in town. Is anyone..."

"Si, Papa. I will ask. I am sure one of the girls would be happy to join your little party," she laughed. "Papa, I am so glad you are enjoying yourself here. I do wish you could spend more time with Mama, though."

AJ picked up the handset to take the call off the speaker. "Francesca, your mother and I have explained that on more than one occasion."

"I know, Papa."

"Then stop pushing us. It isn't fair to ask your mother to give up everything she's been used to having all these years."

"It wasn't fair of Vittorio to put those..."

"Vittorio did what he thought was right. He was trying to protect your mother from fortune hunters. There's no way he could have foreseen that she and I would want to get back together."

"I'm so sorry, Papa."

"I know, Darlin'. But we're fine the way we are now."

After they hung up, AJ turned and looked out the window. "AJ? What did her second husband do that prevents you two from getting back together?" asked Douglas.

"She loses everything if she marries anyone not on the list he left. And I'm not on the list," AJ answered. "She's used to luxury now; I can't give her that." He turned back around. "Francesca will have someone set up for you, Doug." He looked at Harm and Mac. "So, you two can go ahead with your own plans. Dismissed."

Mac and Harm left the office, stunned at the outcome. The office was empty; everyone had already left for the day. "What just happened in there?" Mac asked, shaking her head.

"Are you in love with him, Mac?" Harm asked.

Mac stopped walking. "What?"

"Are you in love with the Admiral?"

"Harm, why are you asking me this? Have I given you any reason to doubt my dedication to our relationship?" Mac defended herself.

"You never denied it, Mac. And the things you said about him... And you called him 'AJ' several times. Mac, are you in love with him?"

Tears were forming in Mac's eyes, threatening to spill over. "I can't believe after all these months that you're asking me this. Obviously I haven't satisfied you. And you don't want me anymore. Well go ahead, Harm. Go on back in his office and ask him to set you up, too. I'm sure he'll be happy to get you a girl to screw tonight." Mac turned to leave. "Why not? That's all we're good for, isn't it? A night or two. Who the hell gives a damn, anyway?!" Mac yelled as she stormed out of the office, her tears spilling over. She was sobbing by the time she reached the car. She jerked the door open, climbed in, and drove away.

Harm turned around to see both the Admiral and the General watching the scene unfold. Harm said, "She'll be right back; she can't go anywhere without the..." Harm realized that Mac had driven the car from the airfield. "Damn! She has the keys!" The three men went to the window and watched as Mac pulled out of the parking lot.

Thursday, 11 April 2002
0805 CET
Admiral Chegwidden's Office
Naples, Italy

The Ensign buzzed the Admiral's office. "Excuse me, Sir. Colonel MacKenzie is on the line wanting to know when their return flight is. I thought you might want to talk to her?"

AJ punched the speaker line. "Colonel! Where are you?" he demanded.

"At a hotel, Admiral. All I need is my flight time, Sir," Mac said coldly.

"What hotel, Mac?" asked Harm.

"I assume we are leaving today? Is that correct?" Mac asked, not answering Harm's question.

"What hotel, Colonel?" asked AJ.

"I'm sorry, Sir, I don't know the name of the hotel," Mac said.

"Hotel Villa Maria," they heard a deep male voice say.

"Mac? You're not alone!" Harm accused.

"No, Harm, I'm not alone. Why should I be? None of you were alone last night," she said. "Now what time is our flight?"

"We're not leaving until tomorrow, Mac," said Harm. "We have some clean-up to do first."

"Fine. I'll be at the office in an hour."

"An hour, my Sarah? Make it two," the deep voice said. They could hear Mac moan in pleasure.

"I'll be there in two hours," Mac amended, her voice sounding very seductive.

She heard the speakerphone disconnect and someone obviously pick up the handset. "Colonel, you'll be here in 30 minutes or I'll have your ass!" barked AJ.

"Sorry, Sir. You can't have my ass, again. You already had your turn. Two nights, in fact. That's your limit, remember?"

"Colonel!" AJ bellowed.

"I'll be there in 30, Sir."

Mac arrived in exactly 30 minutes, as expected. As she entered the Admiral's office, both Harm and AJ started firing questions at her. "Who was he?" "Where did you meet him?" "Did he hurt you?" "Have you lost your mind?" "Don't you realize how dangerous that was?"

Mac took her seat without being told to. When they finally stopped their tirade, Mac said simply, "Good morning."

"Is it, Mac? Is it a good morning? Did you have fun last night? Making us all worried sick about you?" Harm accused.

"Yes, Harm, it is a good morning. It's always a good morning after a fabulous night of sex. Isn't that what you always say?" Harm blanched. "And yes, I did have fun last night. And as for your being worried about me, I'm a Marine. I can take care of myself. You should know that by now, so your worrying was your problem, not mine."

"Dismissed," AJ said disgustedly. They both looked up at him, surprised. "Go on, get out of here!" he bellowed.

They both rose and left the office. "Way to go, Mac," Harm said.

"So how was she?" Mac asked.

"Who?"

"Your fashion model, Flyboy."

"She wasn't you, Mac," Harm hadn't intended on admitting that he really had shared his bed with another woman last night. But Mac asked in such a way that he didn't realize he was admitting it until it was too late.

"I'm sure you noticed the difference," Mac said disgustedly as they left the building and headed for the car. "And I'm sure Evan enjoyed his lady?"

"He said he did, yea. She was quite a looker."

"And, of course, the Admiral's was probably the best of all," she quipped.

"No, Mac. The Admiral spent the entire night looking for you."

"Looking for me?" Mac looked up at Harm. "Are you sure?" Harm nodded and was surprised when Mac turned and went back in the building.

She walked into AJ's office and found him looking out the window and talking on the phone. "Absolutely, Darlin'. I'll pick you up at 1930... 7:30 this evening." Thinking he must be talking to Francesca, Mac walked up behind him. She was just about to put her arms around his waist when he said, "Leesa, you're one magnificent woman. I'll see you tonight, Darlin'."

AJ heard Mac gasp. He turned around to find her backing away from him, her hands to her mouth, tears streaming down her face. She turned to run, but AJ caught her arm. "No, Mac, don't leave."

"Let me go!" she cried.

"Mac, please."

"Let me go!" she fought. AJ tried to pull her to him, but she jerked her arm away from him and ran out the door. AJ went to the window and looked outside. He watched her, again, run from the building and climb in the car. But this time, it was Harm who drove away.

Friday, 12 April 2002
1305 EST
Air Force Transport
EnRoute to Andrews Air Force Base

Harm reached over and jostled Mac. "Wake up, sleepyhead. We're almost home."

Mac opened her eyes and looked out the window. She recognized the familiar landscape and knew they were only 2 minutes from landing. "We're 12 minutes early."

"Air Force never is on time," joked Harm.

They landed and Harm put their bags in his SUV. "My place or yours?" he asked.

"Just take me home, Harm," Mac said.

"Yours."

"Me, Harm. You're not staying. You're going to your place."

"Mac..."

"No, Harm. We're finished. It was your choice, not mine."

"But Mac, you left! You ran away."

"So you screwed someone else while the Admiral looked for me. That tells me just how much you care about me, now doesn't it. I obviously don't matter. Not to you. Not to Evan. And not to the Admiral."

"How can you say that? The Admiral looked everywhere for you!"

"Before or after he had his little friend, Harm?"

"Mac, he didn't..."

"Oh, you mean he actually spent the entire night searching for me? Yea, like I really believe that."

"What happened, Mac? What happened when you went back to his office?"

"He was confirming his 'magnificent' bimbo for last night, Harm," she spat as he pulled up in front of her apartment. Mac jumped out, grabbed her bag and ran up the stairs.

Harm followed her, but she slammed the door in his face.

Friday, 12 April 2002
1635 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Harm had tried calling Mac several times during the afternoon. Mac had refused to answer the phone. Now he was trying, again. "Mac, please. Pick up the phone. I know you're there. Are you going to stay mad at me forever?" He paused. Mac almost gave in. "Mac, she didn't mean anything to me. It was just a one-night thing. You're more than that to me."

"Well, he blew that one!" she said to herself.

"Come on, Mac, pick up. I really want to hear your voice," Harm pleaded to the answering machine.

"Not once. Not once have you said anything about love. So fine. I'm just your sex partner; I don't have to pick up the phone if I don't want to. And I don't have to sleep with you if I don't want to. If you loved me, it would be different. I'd want to just because you want to. But no! Like you said a couple of years ago, 'What does love have to do with anything?'!" Mac ranted.

When she calmed down a bit, she thought back. "AJ never said he loved me either. I was just a two-night thing for him. Evan never said he loved me. Mic did. Mic told me he loved me. He showed me he loved me. Sure, he was possessive and crass sometimes, but I think he really loved me." Mac looked in the mirror. "Yea, right! He walked out on you! Left you standing there in the airport all alone. And he sent you a postcard for Christmas! Some love!!"

Mac sat on the sofa and laid her head in her hands. "Has anyone ever loved me? Really loved me? Uncle Matt. Yes, Uncle Matt loves me. Definitely. No question there. But anyone else?" Mac went through all the men of her past. "John Farrow. He's the only one who came close. I wonder if he would still want me?"

Mac picked up the phone and dialed his number. "Farrow."

"John? It's Mac. How are you?"

"Mac! Great to hear from you. I'm doing just fine. How about you?" He sounded truly glad to hear her voice.

"I'm..." Mac started to answer when she heard a female voice in the background over the line.

"John, come back to bed! I'm getting cold!"

"I'm interrupting something," Mac said. "Sorry, John. I'll talk to you later."

"Mac, wait. I..." But all he heard was a dial tone.

"So much for that idea," said Mac to herself.

Her phone rang, again. "Give it up, Harm," she said. She glanced at the caller ID to confirm it was really Harm, but it said 'Out of Area'. "Telemarketers," she grumbled. Then she heard a voice on her machine.

"Mac, this is AJ. I was hoping you'd be there. I'd like to discuss something with you. But you're obviously not there. Probably out having dinner with Rabb. Never mind. Hope you had a nice evening."

By the time AJ finished talking, Mac was dissolved in tears.

Tuesday, 23 April 2002
1035 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Petty Officer Tiner stuck his head in Mac's office. "Excuse me, Colonel? Diane Ryan is on Line 3 for you, Ma'am. She's Admiral Ryan's wife, from Annapolis."

"Yes, I know her, Tiner. Thank you." Harm and Bud looked at each other. Why would Admiral Ryan's wife be calling Mac? And how does Mac know her to begin with? Mac picked up her receiver and pressed Line 3. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie," she said out of habit.

"Mac? This is Diane Ryan from Annapolis."

"Hello, Diane. Good to hear from you," Mac said.

"How've you been?"

"Fine, just fine. Thank you. And you?" Mac made the small talk.

"Wonderful. John and I took a cruise last month in the Caribbean. Oh, it was just fabulous. Of course, he would have preferred to be on a Naval ship, but that's how it goes!" she laughed.

Mac joined in the laughter. "A cruise sounds wonderful. I'm sure you had a good time."

"Yes, we did. Mac, I have a huge favor to ask of you. I've begged John for several years to let me give a seminar on the proper way for an officer to treat a lady. Well, he finally agreed, believe it or not. I've put my presentation together, but in so doing, I realized that I have a gaping hole: how an officer treats a female fellow officer."

"I think I know where you're going with this, Diane. I'm not sure..."

"Mac, you'd be the perfect person to give that part of the talk. Please say you'll do it. Or at least think about it. The seminar is next Thursday, May 2. Maybe you could stay over and spend the weekend with us?"

"I'll think about it, Diane. I'd also have to clear it with my CO," Mac said.

Monday, 29 April 2002
1115 CET
Admiral Chegwidden's Office
Naples, Italy

AJ went to his browser's bookmarks and found the entry for the florist. He knew he wanted to send flowers for May Day to the women at JAG. He really wanted to send something directly to Mac. "Hell, she'd probably throw them in the trash when she read the card. He searched through the many pictures of arrangements and finally decided on three dozen multi-colored tulips in a large vase. "Perfect!"

Now for Mac...

Wednesday, 1 May 2002
0635 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac opened her front door to get her morning paper. On top of her paper, she found a small bouquet of fresh iris flowers wrapped in green tissue. There was no card. "That's strange. I wonder why someone left me flowers?"

She went about her morning routine and left the building. When she was getting in her car, she looked over and saw a little pine tree directly under her bedroom window. "That's odd. I don't remember that tree being there." Mac set her briefcase in the car and walked over to the tree. "It's not even planted! It's just sitting here. What on earth?"

Mac decided that the gardener must be planning to plant it today, and just left it there overnight. So she left the tree alone and headed for work.

Wednesday, 1 May 2002
0945 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

The florist van pulled up in front of the building. The driver got out and walked inside carrying the large bouquet of tulips. "Excuse me, I have flowers to deliver. I need someone to check them for me so I can take them upstairs," he told the Marine standing guard.

"Oh, look! Tulips! How lovely!" cried Harriett as the florist walked into the bullpen several minutes later.

"These are for the ladies of JAG. Where would you like me to put them?" the florist asked.

Harriett indicated a table against the wall next to the copy machine. "I think they'll be fine right there, thank you."

Sturgis walked over to the large bouquet and read the card. "To the beautiful women of JAG, Happy May Day. Admiral AJ Chegwidden." Sturgis looked around the room, "Yep, I'd say he addressed this correctly. We do have a lot of fine looking women in JAG. Every last one of them, in fact," he directed this last to Harm.

Harm nodded, "I couldn't agree with you more, Sturgis."

"I didn't know the Admiral celebrated May Day," said Bud.

Harriett smiled. "He never has before, Bud. But I believe it's rather an important holiday in Europe. At least it used to be. And you know how he is about history."

Wednesday, 1 May 2002
1215 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac left the courtroom and entered the bullpen. She immediately saw the tulips. "Ooo! Beautiful flowers! Whose are they, Harriett?" she asked.

"Ours, Ma'am. They're from Admiral Chegwidden to all the women at JAG."

"All the beautiful women of JAG," corrected her husband. "They're for May Day, Ma'am."

"May Day?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma'am. Actually, it's quite a celebration in Europe. Not so much anymore, but it used to be very important. You remember the song 'The Lusty Month of May' from Camelot? That was May Day. I looked it up on the Internet this morning, and I found out that most European countries had their own May Day customs. In most, the day became a time for courting. For instance, in Italy, boys serenaded their sweethearts. In Switzerland, a May pine tree was placed under a girl's window. German boys secretly planted May trees in front of the windows of their sweethearts. In the Czech Republic, boys placed Maypoles before their sweetheart's windows at night."

"Trees?" Mac choked on the word and paled.

"Are you all right, Ma'am?" asked Harriett.

"Fine, Harriett. Did you say trees, Bud?"

"Yes, Ma'am. And in Russia, boys placed flowers on the doorstep of their sweetheart."

Mac turned back to the beautiful tulips and thought of her own flowers. "Those are iris," she said aloud.

"No, Ma'am. They're tulips, actually," offered Bud.

"What?" Mac said. "Oh, no not these. Mine. The ones someone left on my doorstep this morning. They were iris."

"Someone left flowers on your doorstep, Mac?" asked Sturgis walking into the bullpen at just that moment. She nodded. "How romantic." She nodded, again.

"Colonel, did you get a tree, too?" asked Harriett, remembering that Mac had choked on the word and had gone very pale when Bud explained about the trees.

Mac nodded. "Uh huh. A cute little pine tree was under my bedroom window this morning."

"What's going on?" asked Harm as he entered the bullpen.

"Someone is courting the Colonel!" smiled Harriett.

"Mac?" Harm turned to face her. Their relationship hadn't really gotten any better since their return from Italy. Mac still wouldn't talk to him or spend time alone with him. He was very frustrated about the whole situation. Now to find out that someone was trying to beat his time!

"I have no idea, Harm," she shook her head. "Absolutely none."

"Excuse me, Colonel. You have a phone call on Line 3, Ma'am," said Petty Officer Tiner.

"Who is it, Tiner?" she asked.

"I don't know, Ma'am. He asked to remain anonymous. He's called several times today, Colonel."

Mac picked up the closest phone and pressed Line 3. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie."

Mac heard a click and then music. A recording of 'Cherish' began playing over the wire. Mac gasped as she recognized the song.

"Mac? Who is it? What did he say?" demanded Harm.

She shook her head. "Nothing. He didn't say anything."

Harm took the phone from her hand and listened. "Mac, what was it?"

"Music," she smiled slightly. "I was being serenaded."

"Some is courting you, Colonel!" Bud agreed with Harriett's assessment.

Wednesday, 1 May 2002
1635 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac picked up her phone. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie."

She heard the click and then music. This time the song 'You Are Everything' began playing. Mac smiled.

When the song finished, she could hear someone breathing on the other end.

"Thank you," she said softly before she hung up.

Wednesday, 1 May 2002
2215 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac sat in the warm tub full of bubbles. She leaned back against the bath pillow and sighed. 'This has been a wonderful day.' She'd even stopped on her way home to get a manicure and pedicure. She had set the cordless phone by the bathtub, just in case. Just as she was thinking about the last call, the phone rang. 'Can he read my mind?'

"Hello?" she said sexily.

She heard the click. And then the music. And then a voice singing, 'I Love How You Love Me'.

When the music stopped, the voice repeated the last phrases one more time.

Then the voice whispered, "I love you."

"Don't hang up," Mac pleaded, but he was all ready gone. "Who could it be?" she wondered aloud. She wanted it to be AJ, but she knew that was impossible. First, he didn't love her. Second, he was in Italy; he couldn't have orchestrated all the deliveries from there, surely. Third, he doesn't sing. "Or does he?" she wondered aloud.

Thursday, 2 May 2002
1000 EST
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland

Mac pulled her car into the driveway and walked up to the front door. Diane Ryan was out on the steps waiting for her. "Mac! I'm so glad you're here! Thank you so much for agreeing to come and help me with this seminar. Now that the day is finally here, I'm actually terribly nervous!"

"I'm glad to do it, Diane. And it does get me away from the office." They walked in the house and Mac noticed the beautiful arrangement of flowers on the entry table. "Diane, what lovely flowers!"

"Aren't they, though? They're from AJ. He's such a dear. Oh, the phone! Make yourself comfortable, Mac, while I get that," Diane said as she hurried into the next room.

Mac looked at the flowers. There were tulips, just like the ones at the office, and iris, just like the ones on her doorstep. "It couldn't be," she said softly. "It just couldn't be."

Thursday, 2 May 2002
1300 EST
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland

Diane stood in front of the podium in the large auditorium. The room was packed with Midshipmen. She noticed with amusement that even the female cadets were present. Attendance at this seminar was strictly voluntary, but it appeared that every cadet not taking an exam at this hour was present. The seminar was being filmed and would be played off and on throughout the next week so those not able to be present would have the benefit of hearing it.

Diane started speaking, "Good afternoon, Midshipmen, and thank you for coming today. This seminar is..."

An hour later, Diane introduced Mac.

Mac began, "Because fraternization is such a difficult subject to discuss in the military, sometimes it is hard to know where common courtesy leaves off and fraternization begins. I hope after today, you will have a better understanding of how to distinguish between the two..."

Mac spoke for about 15 minutes. Then Diane joined her at the podium. "That's all we have for today. But we do have about 15 minutes for questions, if any of you have... Oh!" She smiled as she saw hands go up all over the room. "I would say we're not going to get to all of you in 15 minutes, but perhaps some of your questions will be duplicates. If we don't get to them all, however, please do feel free to approach either Colonel MacKenzie or myself at any time to ask your questions. Okay, let's start with..."

Thursday, 2 May 2002
1600 EST
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland

The last Midshipmen left the auditorium and Mac and Diane each collapsed into a seat. "Wow!" Diane exclaimed. "That was incredible! And did you notice, Mac, that the majority of the questions were directed to you?"

"Yes, I noticed that. I'm really hoping that I won't see anyone from this group with frat charges against them. They certainly couldn't have any question now what constitutes fraternization!" she laughed.

"That's for sure!" Diane stood. "Well, shall we head to the house and get dinner ready for the men?"

"The men? Are you expecting company? Other than me, I mean?"

"Thursday night is always John's night to invite one or two of the bachelor officers over for dinner. I hope you don't mind. I forgot to mention it to you," Diane apologized.

"Diane, I'm really not in the mood for bachelor officers tonight. I'm really rather tired. I think I'll take a raincheck on dinner and go back to the B&B and get some rest. Then I'll be all set for our day tomorrow. Have you decided what we're doing yet?"

"No, I sure haven't. I do wish you were staying here at the house instead of at the B&B, though. We have plenty of room."

"I know. But I'd just feel better about it staying over there. Thanks, though." Mac got in her car and turned on the ignition. Her radio started playing and the song was 'I Love How You Love Me'.

"Oh, I love that song!" exclaimed Diane.

Mac stilled her hands and listened dreamily. "Mmm, I do, too."

"Sounds like someone special," Diane grinned.

"I wish," Mac said. "No, I don't think it's him, anyway. Bye! I'll see you in the morning."

Thursday, 2 May 2002
1900 EST
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland

The men were seated around the dining table as Diane set the food in the center. As she sat, the men stood in deference to her and then took their seats, again. Diane smiled, remembering all the questions she'd received this afternoon about that very thing.

"You're smiling, Dear. What about?" asked her husband, John.

"Just remembering the seminar and the questions afterward," Diane answered.

"I heard that was a resounding success, Diane. Congratulations!" offered Captain Joel Peterson.

"Thanks, Joel. But I couldn't have done the subject justice if it hadn't been for Mac." Diane turned to AJ. "I'm so glad you brought her to lunch with you in January, AJ, or I'd never have met her. She's a doll! Such a wonderful young woman," Diane gushed.

AJ looked stunned. "Mac was here?"

Diane nodded. "You didn't know? I thought surely I'd mentioned it to you yesterday." AJ shook his head. "Well, I told someone. I wonder who it was?"

John laughed. "You told me three times yesterday, Dear. And I already knew it!"

Diane pinched his arm lightly. "Are you saying I'm getting old?"

"Never, my dear," he reached over and patted her knee under the table.

"I asked her to join us for dinner, but when I told her there were other guests coming as well, she declined."

"Did you mention that I'd be here?" asked AJ.

"No, I don't think I did, AJ. I'm sorry. I really wasn't thinking today. The seminar just took up so much of my thoughts."

"Not a problem, Diane," said AJ. "I suppose she's staying here at the house and is coming back later?"

"Oh no, she's staying at the Gatehouse, too," Diane said.

AJ grinned slightly and nodded.

When 2230 rolled around, AJ stood and said, "Well, I think it's time for me to head back to Marion's." He paused by the vase of flowers in the entry.

"They are so beautiful, AJ. Thank you so much," said Diane. "Oh! I did tell Mac that the flowers were from you."

AJ asked, "I wonder, Diane, if you'd mind if I took one to give Mac?"

Diane beamed. "I think that would be lovely, AJ! Take as many as you'd like. She's quite the romantic, I do believe."

"Why do you say that?" he asked as he pulled an iris from the vase.

"As she left the Hall today, there was a song playing on her car radio. She got very dreamy-eyed."

"Did she now," AJ chuckled, as though he thought it was amusing. "What was the song?"

"One of my favorites! 'I Love How You Love Me'."

AJ's heart pounded in his chest. 'Could she know it's me? Does she even want it to be me?' AJ pulled a second iris from the vase. An idea was forming in his mind. "Thanks, Diane. I'll see you tomorrow."

Thursday, 2 May 2002
2310 EST
Gatehouse Bed & Breakfast Inn
Annapolis, Maryland

AJ returned to his room and left his uniform jacket and cover on the bed. Then he softly padded to Mac's door. Marion had told him that morning that another guest would be arriving that afternoon and that she'd be in the adjoining room. So AJ had no doubt which room was Mac's. The same one she occupied, rather they occupied, in January.

He laid one iris on the floor in front of the door, knocked and ran quickly back into his room, closing the door quickly and quietly. He heard Mac's door open and her exclamation. "Oh my God!" Then he heard her door close, again.

He heard Mac's laughter come through the wall. 'She must be on the phone,' he surmised. 'Probably talking to Rabb. Damn! Rabb is probably taking the credit for all of this, too! No, I don't guess he'd do that.'

In reality, Mac was talking to Harriett, letting her know how the seminar went. Harriett had requested that Mac call her, and Mac forgot until now. She hung up and dressed for bed.

Waking up at 0300, Mac couldn't go back to sleep. It was like the garden outside was calling to her. Finally, she rose, donned her bathrobe and slippers, and went outside to the garden. She was standing under the arbor where AJ kissed her when she heard a noise. She looked up and knew she must be dreaming. For there before her, clad only in shorts, was AJ. She lifted her arms and he walked into them; she settled them around his neck and pulled his face to hers. Their kiss was sweet and gentle. "Such a nice dream," she mumbled in his mouth.

"You should be in bed, Mac." AJ picked her up in his arms and carried her back inside. She was obviously not fully awake. He tried the doorknob to her room, and it turned easily in his grasp. He took Mac inside and sat her down on her bed. He removed her robe and slippers and laid her back. He gazed at her beautiful form, wishing she was awake enough to know he was there. 'She probably wouldn't want you anyway.' Then he pulled the sheet and light blanket up over her and returned to his room.

About 10 minutes later, he heard her in the bathroom. Then her TV turned on. "She's certainly awake now," he said to himself. AJ decided to go for broke. "She can always slam the door in my face. Yea, and she may very well do just that," he mumbled. He picked up the remaining iris and walked to the adjoining door. He raised his hand and knocked lightly.

Mac heard the knock and was surprised. "I wonder if I disturbed the other guests. Oh, that's bad. I'll apologize." She turned off the TV and walked to the adjoining door, unlocking it and pulling it open. There, standing on the other side of the doorway was AJ, holding an iris out to her. "AJ?" she croaked.

"Yes, Mac."

"It's you?"

"Yes, Mac."

"I wasn't dreaming before, was I?"

"No, Mac."

"You left the flowers?" He nodded. "And the tree?" He nodded, again. "And you serenaded me?"

"I was trying to tell you how much you mean to me, Mac."

"How much is that?" she whispered.

"You mean the world to me. I love you."

"Oh, AJ!" Mac flung herself into his arms. AJ picked her up and carried her back to her bed, this time joining her in it. "I love you so much, AJ. I thought I'd lost you forever."

"I thought I'd lost you forever."

"Why did you leave so suddenly?"

"I accepted the job so we could be together, Mac. And then when I found you with Rabb, I..." AJ looked into her eyes. "Are you still seeing him, Mac?"

She shook her head. "Not since our trip to Italy."

"Will I do, Mac? Will you be happy with me? I don't think I could stand losing you, again," AJ whispered.

"Oh, AJ, I do love you, so much. Take me now. Make love to me," she begged.

Thirty minutes later, AJ began to sing softly,

The end.