Mac's Mountie - Part 1

Sunday, 30 June 2002
2045 EDT
Ruths Chris Steak House
Arlington, Virginia

Admiral AJ Chegwidden rose from his seat, securing the attention of everyone in the small private dining room.  "I know that tonight's dinner was planned in celebration of Mac's promotion and to wish her well in her new position at the Pentagon."  The Admiral smiled down at Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.  "And we do indeed wish you well, Colonel.  As we've all said tonight, we will miss you sorely at JAG.  But we know you'll exceed our expectations of you in your new position."  Mac beamed her appreciation.

The Admiral looked straight at Lieutenant Bud Roberts now and grinned.  "And I know that I agreed not to 'make a fuss', but I'm pulling Admiral's privilege right now.  Before we all head out of here tonight, I'd like to propose one last toast."  The Admiral lifted his glass.  "To one of the finest, bravest young men it's ever been my privilege to know.  Welcome home, and welcome back to JAG.  To Lieutenant Bud Roberts!"  

The others at the table immediately stood and raised their glasses, smiling at Bud.  "To Bud!" they chorused, and then drank.

Bud looked around the table at his friends and co-workers.  When his gaze lit on Commander Harmon Rabb, tears formed in Bud's eyes.  'He taught me so much; and he's the best friend I've ever had.'  Bud's gaze moved on to Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie... 'No, she's a bird Colonel now' he remembered, and he fought the tears from falling.  'She's been so strong for Harriett these last few months.  God, I don't think she'd have made it through all this without Mac.'  

Bud tried to smile at his friends, but he knew what would happen if he looked back at the Admiral.  He couldn't help it.  He had to.  This man, who was like a father to him when his own father had all but disowned him.  Bud moved his eyes to the Admiral, and the tears fell.  The Admiral smiled encouragingly at Bud.

His wife, Lieutenant Harriett Sims, sat back down and pulled Bud into a hug.  "I love you so much, Sweetheart.  Thank you for coming back to me," she said.  She kissed him on the cheek and then whispered, "Honey, you really should respond to the Admiral's toast."

Bud nodded his head and was going to stand, when the Admiral waved him down.  "No need to stand up, Lieutenant.  Keep your seat.  You're going to be getting up and walking out of here in just a bit; better not to tire yourself too much, your first night out."

Bud smiled his thanks to his commanding officer.  This was, indeed, his first night 'out on the town', so to speak, since that fateful day in May when he stepped on a landmine and lost his right leg.  He was rushed back to the States, the doctors not certain they could save him.  But they did:  the Admiral hadn't given them a choice.  

Bud looked around the table, again.  "I'd just like to thank you... all of you... for standing by me through this.  And for supporting Harriett.  I never expected anything like this to happen when I left JAG, but... Well, it did.  And since I've been home, all of you have been so... great.  Really.  A man couldn't ask for better friends.  And you've been so good to Harriett."  Bud's eyes welled up with tears, again.  "I don't deserve her... never did."  Harriett snaked her hand through Bud's arm and held his hand, squeezing it.  "But I'm sure glad she loves me."  Bud put his arm around his wife's shoulders.  He looked back around the table.  "Thank you.  Thank you all."

Commander Sturgis Turner started the applause, and soon the room was filled with the sound.  Bud's tears spilled down his cheeks, and he pulled his wife into his embrace, Harriett practically falling into his lap.

As everyone prepared to leave, the Admiral stood behind Bud's chair.  He said very quietly, "You up to walking out of here, Son?"

Bud looked back and up over his shoulder at the Admiral.  "I think so, Sir."

The Admiral nodded.  "Very well."  He pulled Bud's chair out as Harm handed Bud his crutches.

"Easy now, Bud," said Harm as Bud pulled himself up out of the chair.

"He does very well at home now," encouraged Harriett.

"He certainly does.  We've seen him," agreed Harm.

Mac piped in, "But the floor here is so uneven with all the ramps and steps.  And the ground is so bumpy outside.  Just be careful, Bud.  Harm, you should walk behind him so you can catch him if he starts to fall."

"I'll be fine, Ma'am,' Bud assured her. 

"I know you will, Bud.  But please... for my sake.  For my peace of mind... humor me.  Harm, walk behind him."

The men chuckled.  Harriett, however, looked at Mac with grateful eyes and mouthed a quick "Thank you!"  

As Harm was getting Bud situated in the back seat of his Lexus, Harriett invited the Admiral to join them back at the house for dessert and coffee... even though they'd already had dessert and coffee at the restaurant.  The Admiral thanked her, but declined.  "I don't want to keep you all up, Harriett.  Bud needs his rest..."

"Oh, but Sir... the Commander and the Colonel are staying for a while.  The Colonel promised to read little AJ a story when we got back tonight.  Please come, Sir."

AJ smiled his indulgence.  "Very well."  He climbed in his Escalade and followed Harm to the Roberts' home.

Sunday, 30 June 2002
2155 EDT
Roberts Residence
Arlington, Virginia

Little AJ came barreling down the hall as soon as he heard Mac's voice.  "Auntie Mac!  Auntie Mac!"  He practically threw himself at her legs, wrapping his little arms around her tightly, such that she couldn't move.  "Read me story, Auntie Mac," he reminded her.

"Yes, AJ, I'll read you a story."  She reached down to pull his arms from around her legs.  "Sweetie, you have to let go of my legs so I can walk," she explained.

"You won't go 'way?  You'll stay and read me story?" the youngster queried.

Mac nodded.  "I'll read you a story.  Did you pick one out yet?"

Just as little AJ was about to tell her what he'd chosen, the Admiral appeared in the doorway.  The small boy squealed his delight, "Adm'l AJ!!"  He immediately let go of Mac's legs and grabbed the Admiral's.  "You're here!  Mommy!  It's my Adm'l AJ!" he announced happily.

"Yes, Sweetie," replied Harriett, having helped her husband get comfortable in the recliner and paying the babysitter, seeing her to the door.  "Now you need to let go of the Admiral's legs so he can come inside."

The Admiral bent down and picked up the boy.  "And how's my favorite 3-year old?"  Little AJ giggled.  "Judging by that laugh, I'd say you're happy."  The boy nodded his head.  "Any particular reason why you're so happy?" the Admiral asked.  He nodded again.  "Is it a secret?"

The boy shook his head.  "It's not shh-shh."

"Then can you tell me?  Why are you so happy?"

"My 'bless people' are here," little AJ explained, wondering that the Admiral didn't know the reason himself.  Wasn't it obvious?

"Your 'bless people'?" the Admiral asked the question that Harm and Mac also wondered.

"Uh huh.  Almost all," the boy nodded.

"AJ," Bud said.  "Why don't you go to your room and get the book you want Auntie Mac to read to you."

"Yes, Sir," the child answered and wiggled until the Admiral set him down.  Then the little boy ran back to his room.

Harm spoke first.  "What are 'bless people'?"

Harriett answered, "When AJ says his prayers at night, he always ends with 'God bless' and he names the people he loves."  Bright smiles lit on Harm's and Mac's faces.  The Admiral's eyes got a tad bit misty, and Harriett could see the smile he was trying so hard to hide.  "He always says, 'God bless Mommy and Daddy and Admiral AJ and Auntie Mac and Uncle Harm and Uncle Mikey and Grandpa and...'"

"Mommy!" cried AJ coming back with a book in his hands.  "It isn't bedtime yet.  Why are you blessing?"

"I'm just explaining about your 'bless people', Sweetheart."

Little AJ handed the book to Mac.  "Oh, 'The Cat In the Hat'," she read the title.  "I remember this one.  I used to read this a lot when I was a little girl."

"You were a little girl?" the child asked, amazed, reaching his arms up to her.

"Mmm hmm," she nodded, picking him up.  "A long, long time ago."

"In dinosaur days?" he asked, bringing a chuckle from the other adults in the room.

"Not quite that long ago, AJ," Mac assured him.

"In horse and buggy days?"

Mac laughed.  "Almost."

"Adm'l AJ told me a story once about horse and buggy days."

Everyone turned surprised eyes to the Admiral.  He grinned.  "Yes, I did, didn't I," the Admiral agreed.  "If I recall correctly, it was about Christopher Columbus."  Little AJ nodded.

"When did the Admiral tell you a story, AJ?" asked Bud.

"When you and Mommy were gone."

Bud looked at his CO with a question in his eyes.  AJ answered, "It was when you were arriving at Bethesda, Bud."

Harriett gasped.  "You?  You're the one who...  Oh, Admiral!" Harriett burst into tears and ran to him, falling in his arms.  "Sir, I never knew who to thank..."

"Shh, Harriett, it's okay," cooed the Admiral as he patted her back.  "It's okay.  We had a good time together."  Harriett cried in his arms for another minute before she got control of her emotions.

She stepped back and said humbly, "Admiral, I can never thank you enough for..."

"Harriett, please.  Just forget it."

The other adults in the room were at a complete loss.  Bud finally interrupted.  "Sweetie, what is it?  What happened?"

AJ took a deep breath and explained.  "Bud, when you arrived in the helo at Bethesda, we all wanted to be there... to support you and Harriett.  I was detained at the office for about 5 minutes, so I was a tad late arriving.  When I got to the Emergency Room desk, the nurses were making over a little boy lying on the one of the couches in the waiting room.  I glanced over and saw it was little AJ.  So I took him with me.  We found a nice quiet room on the Pediatrics floor, and I let him sleep.  I sent word upstairs to the OR nurse letting her know where AJ was.  I knew Harriett would realize suddenly that he wasn't with her and..."

"I did.  Just as I remembered I'd left him in the Emergency Room, the nurse walked in and told me he was downstairs in Pediatrics.  I was so relieved.  But she didn't know who had called; she just knew that he was sleeping.  She said she'd go get him if I wanted her to, but he would be better off downstairs where there were toys to play with when he woke up.  So I agreed."

AJ nodded.  "He did play with the toys.  And then he wanted me to read him a story.  I didn't care for any of the books they had, so I told him a story instead..."

"Tell me a story, Adm'l AJ.  Pwease?" the youngster interrupted.

"I thought Auntie Mac was going to read you a book?" the Admiral asked.

"She can read next time," little AJ replied.  "Okay?" he asked, looking into her eyes.

Mac smiled back.  "Of course it's okay, Sweetie.  Why don't we all sit down and let the Admiral tell a story?"  

Mac set the boy on his feet and he immediately went to the Admiral.  He took his hand and pulled him to the sofa.  "Adm'l AJ sit wif me," he instructed.  The Admiral sat down and little AJ climbed in his lap.  Harm took Mac's hand and they sat together on the loveseat.  But little AJ would have none of it.  "No!  Auntie Mac sit wif me and Adm'l AJ," he patted the cushion next to the Admiral, "here on the sopa!' 

Mac turned and grinned at Harm.  "Later," she whispered and got up to move across the room to the sofa. 

She was going to sit on the end of the sofa, but little AJ patted the cushion again.  "Here, Auntie Mac.  Sit here wif us."

Mac sat where the boy indicated.  "Is this okay?" she asked.

"Uh huh," he nodded.  "Mommy, you sit wif Unca Harm so he's not awone."  He turned to explain to the Admiral and Mac.  "Daddy has to sit in the chair, not on the sopa.  And Mommy can't sit with him until he gets all well," he stressed.  He turned back to be sure his mother was seated next to Harm.  "Okay.  Story time," he informed the Admiral, which brought chuckles from the other adults.

"Hmm, let's see.  Which story shall I tell you tonight?" the Admiral thought.

"Another one from horse and buggy days," prompted his namesake.

The Admiral nodded.  "Okay.  Well tomorrow is Canada Day.  How about a story about Canada?" he asked.  The child nodded, not having any idea what Canada Day was, and snuggled deeper into AJ's lap.  AJ began, "Way back in the horse and buggy days, there were a lot of people who left England by sailing vessels."

"In the Navy?" little AJ interrupted.

"No, not in the Navy, AJ," the Admiral said.  "These were just people who wanted to live in a new place.  So they got on the sailing ships and headed across the ocean.  A lot of those people landed in what we now call Canada... way up north in the cold."

"Oh.  But not in the Navy?"

The Admiral shook his head.  "Not the Navy.  Not this story."

"Next one?"

AJ smiled.  "We'll see.  Now, the people lived in this big land for a long time, and it didn't have a name.  So in 1868, the Governor of the land called on the people to celebrate their being in the new land.  And they decided to call it 'Canada'.  They chose the first of July, and they called their holiday 'Dominion Day'."  The Admiral looked down at his young charge.  His eyes were bright with anticipation.

AJ continued his story, "As the years went by, lots of the people in Canada wanted to move west."

"Wild, wild west!" chirped little AJ.

"That's right.  Canada had a wild, wild west, too.  But you know what they did?  They were smart.  They learned from the mistakes that we made here in our country.  It's always good to learn from mistakes, AJ.  It's very important not to make the same mistake twice if you can help it."  

"Uh huh.  Like I won't put my Lego in the toilet again.  It made the water go all over the floor, and Mommy cried.  Unca Harm fixed it, but he told me never to put anything but a little bit of TP in there.  And my pee.  And my poop," AJ added for good measure.  The adults chuckled.

"Good, I'm glad you learned that," said the Admiral.  "Well the government in Canada decided that they would send men to the west to establish law and order before they let everybody go live there who wanted to.  Because, you see, there were already people living there, just like we had Indians here.  There were Indians in Canada, too."

"And Eskimos!"

The Admiral nodded.  "Yes, and Eskimos in the north.  Well, in 1873, they formed the Northwest Mounted Police.  The men wore bright red tunics so they could be seen a long way away, and people would recognize them immediately as someone who would help them and not hurt them."

"The Navy wears white tunics," little AJ announced.

"That's right.  Our Navy does wear white.  The Northwest Mounted Police got to wear red, though."

Mac was amazed at the way the Admiral talked to little AJ.  'He's so good with children.'

"How did the Indians know the police were good?"

"That's a good question, AJ.  The men in the bright red tunics rode a long way across to the west.  The men were called Mounties, by the way.  When they got where they were going, they found some bad men selling whiskey to the Indians.  The Mounties arrested the bad men.  That made the Indian chief happy.  His name was Chief Crowfoot.  His Indians were called the Blackfoot Indians."

"Did they have black feet?"

"No, it was just a name."

"Oh," the child yawned in response.

"Chief Crowfoot was very glad that the Mounties got rid of the whiskey traders.  And because they did, the Indians knew they could trust the men in the bright red tunics."

"Did a lot of people move to the wild west then?" the child asked.

"Yes, they did.  The Mounties built forts out west... Fort Calgary, Fort Macleod, and Fort Walsh were the first ones.  The Mounties were stationed at the forts, but lots of them also traveled to other parts of the country where they were needed.  The Mounties didn't just arrest people.  They could also conduct trials.  And they could marry people, too... the way a minister does."

"Wooow," little AJ said in awe.

The Admiral and Mac smiled at each other, each knowing what the other was thinking.  'Sounds just like his father!'

"They rode horses whenever they could.  But some of them were way up in the north, and in the winter when the snow was too deep for the horses, the Mounties used teams of dogs to pull them on a sled."

Little AJ yawned again.  Harriett stood up.  "That was such an exciting story, Admiral.  Thank you so much for sharing it with us.  And now I think it's time for little AJ to go to bed."

"But I wanna hear more, Mommy!" the youngster argued.

"Next time, Sweetie.  The Admiral has lots of exciting stories to tell you, I'm sure," Harriett cooed to her son as she lifted him off of the Admiral's lap.  "Say good night, AJ."

"Night night," he chirped.  "Thank you for the story, Adm'l AJ."

The Admiral smiled, "It was my pleasure, Boy."

When Harriett left with little AJ, Mac turned to the Admiral.  "I had no idea a child would be so enthralled in a history lesson, Sir."

"Only kind of stories I know.  That's what my father always told me when I was little.  Probably what peaked my interest in history.  Most people find it rather boring.  I figured I'd put him to sleep."  They heard a strange sound, and looked up.  "Just like I did them!" the Admiral chuckled, as he and Mac watched both Harm and Bud sit there snoring.  Bud snorted, and woke up, embarrassed.

Mac stood and walked over to Harm.  She reached down and pushed his crossed leg from its resting spot on his other knee.  Harm jerked awake,  "Whaaa-at?"  He looked a little sheepish.  "Sorry about that, Sir," he said.  'God, I can't believe I fell asleep while my CO was telling a story!'

"Ready to roll, Harm?  I want to get home before too much longer," Mac said, reaching for his arms and pulling on them.

"Uh, yeah.  Sure.  We can go now."  Harm stood to his feet and put his arm casually around Mac's waist.  "Was the story good?"

"Actually, yes.  It was quite informative.  I didn't know much about the Mounted Police."  Mac turned to the Admiral.  "But Sir, I thought they were the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  You called them the Northwest Mounted Police."

The Admiral rose, too.  "That's right, Mac.  They began as the Northwest Mounted Police.  Then in 1904, King Edward officially recognized them and granted the prefix of Royal.  So they were the Royal Northwest Mounted Police.  It wasn't until 1920 when they merged with the Dominion Police that they became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and took over federal law enforcement."

"How do you know all this, Sir?" asked Harm as his cell phone rang.

"History buff," the Admiral replied.

"Rabb," Harm said into the tiny phone.

Mac turned to the Admiral, "Well, I for one, thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson, Sir."

The Admiral smiled his thanks as they listened to Harm.  "Sergei, what were you doing in Richmond to start with?  And don't tell me she was pretty," he said disgustedly.  Mac and the Admiral chuckled.  Harm heaved a sigh.  "Okay, little brother.  We'll be there in a bit."  He paused.  "We as in me and Mac."  Mac touched Harm's arm and shook her head.  "Hold on a second, Sergei."  He took the phone away from his face.  "I'm sorry, Mac.  It'll only take a couple of hours to go get him and get back, and then we can..."

"No Harm.  I really have no desire to ride all the way to Richmond and back tonight.  I start a new job tomorrow, remember?  I'd like to be well rested and not have bags under my eyes," Mac told him.

"Okay, I'll take you home first and then go..." 

The Admiral interrupted, "No need for that, Harm.  I can drop Mac at her place."

"Admiral, are you sure?  It's out of your way to go into Georgetown," said Harm.

"And it's the opposite direction from Richmond," AJ replied.  "It's not a problem.  I'll be happy to drive her home."  Harm nodded and turned back to his cell phone.  The Admiral looked over at Mac, who was helping Bud to his feet.  "You don't mind if I drive you home, do you, Mac?"

"Mind?  Of course not, Admiral.  That would be just fine.  You can tell me more about the Mounties," she smiled.

"I will put you to sleep then," the Admiral joked.

Harm, Mac, and the Admiral said their goodbyes to Bud and Harriett and walked outside.  The Admiral pressed the button on his key fob to unlock the doors of his Escalade.  Before he reached it, though, Harm had already opened the passenger door for Mac, so the Admiral walked around to the driver's side and climbed in.

Harm had his arm around Mac's waist again.  He pulled her closer and said, "I'm sorry, Mac.  I really intended to see you home tonight... and then some."

"Don't worry about it, Harm.  You go get Sergei out of trouble."  Mac leaned over and brushed a light kiss on Harm's cheek.  

"Is that all I get?" he whined.  He pulled her back to him and kissed her fully on the mouth.  When he released her lips, she smiled.  "Mmm, much better," he said.  "Good night, Mac."  He kissed her once more, on her neck this time, sucking very lightly.  Then she climbed in the Escalade, and Harm closed the door.

The Admiral pulled out of the driveway and headed for Georgetown.  "I didn't realize you two were finally working things out between you.  Good thing we moved you when we did, hmm?" he asked casually.

Mac jerked her head around to look at the Admiral.  "No Sir!" she exclaimed.  "We're not involved.  We're just... trying to find our way," she said lamely.

"Trying to find your way?  That's an interesting way to put it," he chuckled at her discomfiture.

Sunday, 30 June 2002
2350 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

The Admiral pulled his Escalade into the only open parking spot in front of Mac's apartment building.  As he turned off the ignition, Mac woke up.  "Oh!  We're here?" she asked rather groggily. 

"That we are, Mac," the Admiral replied.  "You fell asleep as I was recounting the Mounties' Battle of Duck Lake and the Métis resistance."

"I am sorry, Admiral," Mac said softly.  "I guess I'm more tired than I thought."

"It is almost midnight, you know.  You're allowed to be sleepy."  The Admiral opened his door and climbed out.  He noticed Mac opening her door.  "If you'll wait a second, Mac, I'll help you down."  He walked around the back of the vehicle and found that Mac hadn't waited.  She was already climbing out of the large SUV.  He shook his head as she stepped onto the sidewalk.  He closed the door behind her, and turned to follow her.  Mac was already going up the brick steps.  "You sure move fast for someone who was just sound asleep," he commented, startling Mac.

She turned to look back at him, and tripped over her own feet, stumbling backwards, and falling.  The Admiral was too far away to reach her, though he tried.  She grabbed for the railing, but missed it, and she went down hard, hitting her head on the brick step.  "Mac!" the Admiral cried as he heard a crack.  He bent down and caressed her face.  "Mac?  Can you hear me?" he asked.

She moaned.  "Yes, Sir.  I hear you.  I can't believe I fell on my own steps.  How stupid is that?" she complained. 

"Can you move, Mac?"

"I think so," she replied, and twisted her body around until her legs were on the same level as her head.  She sat up.  "I'm not usually such a klutz, Sir."

"Can you make it upstairs, Mac?  Or should I put you back in the car and take you to Bethesda?"

Mac quickly got to her feet.  "Oh, no Sir!  I'm fine.  I certainly don't need to go to Bethesda.  I just need a nice restful sleep."

"Wouldn't hurt to take some Ibuprofen before you lie down.  Your head's going to hurt in just a bit."

"Already does," she moaned, putting her hand against the side of her head.

"Come on.  I'll take you upstairs and make sure you get to bed okay," the Admiral said in his commanding tone.

Mac knew better than to argue when he used that voice.  "Thank you, Sir."

Admiral Chegwidden put his arm gently around Mac as they walked up the stairs to her apartment.  He wasn't about to take the chance of her falling again.  He took the door key from Mac's hand and unlocked her apartment.  They walked inside and Mac thanked him.  "You go ahead and get yourself ready for bed, Mac.  I'm just going to hang around for a bit and make sure you don't have any problems from that fall."

"Oh, but Sir, really... I'm fine."

"Mac, you hit your head.  Hard," he emphasized.  "You asked Bud earlier to humor you.  Well, I'm asking the same now.  Humor me.  Go ahead and get ready for bed.  When I know that you're safe and sound, tucked in for the night, I'll leave."

Mac smiled.  "That really isn't necessary, Admiral.  But I do appreciate your concern.  Thank you."

The Admiral smiled in return.  "Go on," he nodded toward her bedroom.  Then he called to her, "Hey, Mac, don't you have a dog?"

"I used to, Sir.  Jingo.  You remember, the one who used to sniff out drugs on the docks?"

"Right.  What happened to him?"

"I gave him to Chloe when I went on that TDY last summer.  She didn't want to give him up when I got back.  So he's her dog now," she explained through the door of her bedroom.

"I see," AJ replied.  He looked around the room.  "Nice place you've got here, Mac."  He heard the commode flush and water begin to run in the sink.  Then he heard a loud thud.  "Mac, you okay in there?" he called.  No answer.  "Mac?" he called again. 

When there was still no answer, he opened the bedroom door and called again.  "Mac?"  The water was still running, but it wasn't so loud that she wouldn't have heard him.  He rounded the corner to the bathroom and found her on the floor.  "Mac!"  He reached and turned off the water, then he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to her bed.  Just as he laid her down in the center of the bed, she came to, blinking her eyes.  "Welcome back," he said quietly, sitting next to her on the edge of the bed.

"What happened?  I was... just going to brush my teeth.  I reached for the toothbrush and..."  She sighed.  "I guess I blacked out."

"That's a good assumption, Mac.  I heard you fall, and when you didn't answer me, I came inside and found you on the floor."

"I'm sorry, Sir."  'Thank God I at least put my nightgown on before I went in the bathroom tonight!'

"Mac, don't apologize for having hurt yourself.  You didn't do it on purpose."  Mac shifted her weight on the bed slightly, and the Admiral stood up.  "Your eyes look fine now, so I'm going to let you sleep.  But I'm going to wake you up every hour."

"Oh, but Admiral..." she started to object.

"Don't want to hear it, Mac," he told her.  "You could easily have a concussion, and I'm not taking any chances."

"But..."

"You have two choices, Mac.  You can stay here and let me keep a watch on you tonight.  Or I can take you to Bethesda.  What's your pleasure?"

Mac pulled the sheet up over her.  "Thank you for staying, Sir.  There's plenty of coffee in the kitchen.  And there's some pie and...  Well, just feel free to eat anything you find in there, Admiral."  He nodded and headed for the door.  "Admiral?"

"Yes, Mac?"

"Thank you."

AJ closed the bedroom door behind him so as not to disturb Mac.  He walked over to her bookshelf and perused her selection.  'Hmm, I never would have taken Mac for a romance reader,' he thought.  He looked further and found the latest Tom Clancy novel.  "Haven't read this one yet," he said to himself as he pulled it off the shelf. 

AJ went into the kitchen and poured himself a soft drink, bringing it back out to the living room.  He made himself comfortable on the sofa and began reading.  After 30 minutes, he got up to check on Mac.  She woke up right away and her eyes were clear.  Sleepy, but clear.  He let her go back to sleep and he continued reading. 

Mac turned over and watched him leave her room.  She sighed as she fell back to sleep... and her dream began...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
15 August 1881
1430 MST
Fort Calgary, Canada

Harmon Rabb and Sarah MacKenzie stood before the stern man in the bright red tunic.  "But we were told you could perform the wedding, Inspector Chegwidden," Rabb insisted.  "And we must be married today.  We leave tomorrow for the north.  We must be married before I can take Sarah with me."

"You shouldn't be taking her to the north.  Women don't belong there.  It's too harsh for them," Chegwidden explained again.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Sir," Sarah argued.

The Mountie frowned.  "No Miss.  You're not.  Not in the north country.  A man has a hard enough time of it.  A woman?"  He shook his head.  "No.  Women have no business going to the north country."

"So will you marry us?" Rabb asked him.

"No, I won't.  Not if your plan is to go north.  If you change your mind and decide to stay here or go back east... where you belong... then I'll be happy to marry the two of you," the Mountie informed them before walking away.

"Sarah, whatever shall we do?" Rabb cried in frustration.

"We shall go on, Harmon.  With or without a marriage certificate," Sarah told him, speaking just loud enough for the Mountie to hear.  Rabb gasped at her suggestion.  "Harmon, we cannot turn back now.  I have come so far."

"Perhaps the Mountie is right, Sarah, and it is too harsh for a woman.  It isn't the first time we have heard this." Rabb reconsidered.

"Harmon Rabb!  You promised me that you would not treat me as a prim and proper little twit of a girl.  You promised to treat me as an equal.  Are you now saying that after I have come all this way to be with you, you will not do this?"

"Sarah..." he began.

"Because if you are, then I shall go to the north alone.  Without you.  And I shall prove you wrong."  She looked over her fiance's shoulder and saw the Mountie staring at her.  "I shall prove you both wrong!"

An hour later, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Rabb thanked the Mountie for his service.  "Don't thank me," he replied.  "The only reason I relented was so she wouldn't be going up there alone."  He shook his head as the happy couple walked away.  "Damned foolish, that's what they are.  Damned foolish," he muttered.

"Who's foolish, AJ?" asked another Mountie, walking up behind him.

Chegwidden nodded toward the couple he had just joined in marriage.  "Those two."

"Why foolish?" his friend asked, not able to quite see Sarah's face... only the back of her head.

"They're heading north."

"North?!  He's taking a woman north?  Is he crazy?"  Chegwidden nodded.  "And you joined them?  Are you crazy?" his friend asked.

"She'd have gone by herself, John.  Or with him without the bonds.  I couldn't allow that," Chegwidden explained as he watched them walking together.  "Damned foolish."

"Most definitely."

"I just hope it isn't I who finds them dead next spring." 

"Or the man burying his wife and new baby as so often happens," John recounted.  "How many have you found over these last 15 years, AJ?"  Chegwidden shook his head.  But his friend persisted.  "Come now, man.  Everyone knows you keep a log.  Of everything that happens.  How many?"

Chegwidden kept his eyes on the couple he'd just joined.  "At least 2 women every year.  And babies?  God, I've delivered more dead babies in this wilderness than live ones.  Too many.  Far too many."

He noticed a young couple walking several yards away, the man pushing a baby carriage.  John followed his gaze.  "Now that's not something you see out here very often.  A baby carriage?"

Chegwidden chuckled.  "They just arrived from the east last month.  Brought the carriage with them, but I guess they haven't figured out yet that carriages don't work well out here.  They'll learn."

"Just hope they learn quickly.  AJ, why do these young men come west bringing their families?  Don't they know how hard life is out here?"

Chegwidden shook his head.  "No, I don't think they have a clue, John.  Those are the Roberts... Bud and Harriett.  Their baby was born on the trail on the way here."

"They're lucky it survived.  Hell, he's lucky she survived!"

"Inspector Chegwidden!  It's so good to see you.  How are you today?" bubbled Harriett Roberts.  

Chegwidden excused himself from John and stepped forward to the Roberts.  He took Harriett's hand in his and raised it to his lips, kissing it softly.  "Never better, Mrs. Roberts.  Mr. Roberts.   And how is the young one getting along?" he asked, looking into the carriage and smiling at the infant.

"Baby AJ is just fine, Inspector.  We can't thank you enough for all you've done for us, Sir.  It's just meant..." Bud Roberts began.

Chegwidden interrupted, "It was nothing, Roberts.  I was glad to be of service."  He looked down at the shaky wheels of the carriage.  "You'll need wider wheels on the carriage if you plan to continue using it out here, I believe.  This one in the front looks quite precarious.  You might want to carry the baby until you can get it fixed," he suggested.

Harriett quickly picked the baby up out of the carriage and held him close to her breast.  "Oh!" she cried.

Bud looked at the wheel and saw the problem.  "Thank you, Inspector.  I'll see to it right away."  The men shook hands and the young couple went on their way.

When Chegwidden turned around, he found that John was still standing where he left him a few minutes before.  "I thought you'd have left.  Sorry.  I should have introduced you."

John shook his head.  "Not a problem, AJ.  Did I hear them right?  The baby is called AJ?"

A slight redness crept into Chegwidden's face.  "You heard correctly."

"Let me guess.  You delivered the baby on the trail?"

Chegwidden nodded.  "Happened upon them on my way back to the Fort.  They were traveling alone, so I kept an eye on them.  She went into labor the second day I was there."

John shook his head.  "I think you should have been a doctor, AJ!"

The two men laughed.  

"Where did the two newlyweds come from?" John asked, changing the subject.

"Who?"  Chegwidden didn't catch the switch.

"The newlyweds.  You know.  The two you just married."

"Oh, them.  Ottawa.  They should have stayed there."

John nodded his agreement.  "Women don't belong in the west.  Certainly not in the northwest."

Chegwidden turned to his friend of many years.  "So, John, when will you decide to give up your freedom for a woman?"

John laughed.  "You know me better than that, AJ.  The only woman I want is back in Ottawa.  Met her last time I was on leave and went home.  She's probably married by now with a half dozen children.  That young woman reminds me of her.  Sarah was a fireball.  Very headstrong.  Independent.  Too much so.  She insisted that a woman's place was not simply in the home, but anywhere she wanted it to be.  Including in the northwest.  It was difficult to leave her, but leave I did," explained John.

"Sarah, you say?" Chegwidden asked.  John grunted in the affirmative.  AJ nodded toward the couple just entering their lodging.  "Her name is Sarah."

John looked up quickly.  "Sarah?  Sarah what?"

"Sarah Rabb now.  She was Sarah MacKenzie."

John's face blanched.  "Sarah... MacKenzie?" he gulped.  "Dear God, it's her!"

AJ reached out to steady his old friend.  "John?  Are you alright?  John?"

John shook his head.  "I can't believe it.  She said she'd find someone to bring her west.  I thought she'd give up on the idea and settle down in Ottawa.  Damned foolish woman."

AJ chuckled.  "Because she came west?  Or because she didn't wait to become Mrs. John Farrow when you returned?"

John turned sheepish eyes to Chegwidden.  "Touché, my friend."

"Come, I'll buy you a drink.  You look like you need it."

Meanwhile, in the Rabb's room, Harmon could hardly wait to feel his bride's flesh against his own.  He took her in his arms and began kissing her with abandon.  Wet kisses, all over her face and neck.  "Harmon!" she exclaimed.  "Is there a reason you feel you must lick me and make my skin..."  Then she gasped and jerked back.  "Harmon!  That is most disgusting.  You will not put your tongue in my mouth again.  I am not a harlot.  I am your wife."

"And as such, you will allow me the pleasure of touching you.  Of making love to you.  In any way I so desire," Rabb told her firmly.

"No, Harmon.  I will not.  You may make love to me when it is the proper time.  At night, in the dark, before we go to sleep.  And you will not lick me.  Do you understand?" Sarah said boldly.

"But Sarah..."

"No buts, Harmon.  That is what I will allow.  Nothing more."

Rabb was too frustrated to say anything further, so he adjusted his tie and left the room.  Sarah called after him, "We should make plans for our departure!"  He didn't turn around.  "Harmon!"  He kept trudging ahead toward the building that passed for a saloon and mess hall, all in one.  "Harmon!!"

Rabb entered the makeshift saloon and ordered a whiskey.  Chegwidden recognized his voice and turned surprised eyes to him.  "I wouldn't drink that if I were you, Son," AJ said.

Rabb looked up.  "Why not?"

"She won't like it."

"She doesn't like anything."

Chegwidden chuckled as he ordered a Sarsaparilla.  "You tried to take her in the daylight?  The first time?  You do have a lot to learn about women."

Rabb turned tortured eyes to the Mountie.  "I've wanted her so long.  We've been friends for several years, but it was only a few months ago that she agreed to become my wife.  I thought she felt as I do."

Chegwidden handed Rabb the sarsaparilla.  "Women never feel the same way about the physical aspect of marriage.  A man enjoys it more; it's as simple as that.  Your challenge is to make your wife enjoy it as much as you do.  Want it.  Desire it.  Crave it."

"And how do I do that?" Rabb asked, none of them realizing that Sarah quietly walked in to find her husband.  She didn't want him getting drunk; she fully intended they leave for the north the next day.  And if he was drunk today, he wouldn't be in any condition to go.

John Farrow slapped Rabb on the back.  "My boy, if you're married to Sarah MacKenzie, there's no way in hell you'll change her opinion about anything!  Certainly not about sex!  I wish you luck."

Rabb looked strangely at Farrow.  "You know my wife, Sir?"

Farrow nodded.  "That I do." 

"And may I ask how you know my wife?"

"We met in Ottawa some years ago.  Nothing for you to concern yourself with, Rabb."

"I should say not!" Sarah said vehemently.  All 3 men turned surprised eyes to her.  "Mr. Farrow, Mr. Chegwidden, if you'll excuse us?  My husband and I have things to do."  She turned to Rabb.  "Harmon?  I've changed my mind.  You may do what you please with me."  She turned and walked out.

Rabb choked on his sarsaparilla and Chegwidden patted his back until it cleared.  "Did I hear her correctly, Sirs?"

"If I were you, Son, I'd beat a hasty path out of here!" chuckled AJ.  Rabb did just that.  "I guess the best way to get that woman to do something is tell her she can't or won't."  Chegwidden and Farrow laughed and downed their whiskeys.

Rabb reached their lodging just as Sarah did.  He scooped her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold into their room and kicked the door closed.  He set her on her feet and quickly divested himself of his clothing.  Standing before her in only his underwear, Rabb spoke quietly, "My darling, this will hurt the first time or two.  But after you become used to it, you will enjoy it.  At least I hope you will.  I want you to."

"What must I do?" Sarah asked weakly as she sat down on the only chair in the room.

"Remove your clothes, Sarah."  She didn't reply.  She simply stood and held out her arms.  "What?" he asked.

"I cannot undo the buttons myself, Harmon.  You must do them for me," she explained. 

Rabb quickly unbuttoned the sleeves of her dress.  Then he moved to the buttons in the back.  When he undid the last one, he pushed the dress from her shoulders and let it fall, puddling at her feet.  He heard Sarah take a quick deep breath and hold it.  "It's okay, Sarah," Rabb said as he kissed her shoulder, pushing the straps of her undergarments down her arm.  Then he repeated the action on the other shoulder.  He moved back to stand in front of her and pulled the undergarments down until they, too, pooled at her feet.  "Sit."

Sarah did as he instructed.  She sat.  Her husband lifted her legs, pulled her clothing out from under her, and tossed it aside.  While he was on his knees, he pulled her shoes and stockings off, never moving his eyes from hers.  When he stood up and pulled her with him, all that was left was her corset and panties.  Sarah felt ashamed.  Here she was allowing herself to be stripped by a man, albeit her husband of not quite an hour.  But in the daylight!  'Surely this is as far as he will go before dark.  Surely,' she thought.

She was wrong.  Sarah's bloodcurdling scream could be heard throughout the fort.  Chegwidden and Farrow even heard it as they walked back through the compound to their barracks.  Chegwidden shook his head, "Foolish boy.  He'll be lucky if she lets him touch her again in the next year!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Continue to Part 2.