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Author: Ava Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary: The JAG staff attends a Masked Ball for Mardi Gras, and Mac gets more than she bargained for. Author's comments: Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text'). |
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Friday, 25 January 2002
1715 EST
McMurphy's Tavern
Falls Church, Virginia
The JAG Ops officers gathered around the bar, each one nursing their first drink. They hadn't gotten together this way since Christmas Eve at the Roberts' home, and they were all enjoying the company of their friends and co-workers.
Lieutenant Bud Roberts was the first to brooch the subject of the upcoming Mardi Gras Masked Ball. "So everyone's going, right? I mean, it isn't really an option, is it?" he was hoping that some way, some how, some one would get him out of this.
His wife answered, "Oh, Bud, give it up. You know it's not an option this year. It has been for us every year so far, but this year is JAG's. We don't have a choice. We're going, and you're going to enjoy yourself!"
"Suck it up, Lieutenant!" said Commander Harmon Rabb. "The wife has spoken."
"You have to go, too, don't forget, Harm," reminded Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie. "None of us get out of it this year."
"I'll bet the Admiral doesn't go, Mac," quipped Harm.
"I'll bet you're wrong!" said Commander Sturgis Turner. "I heard him talking just yesterday on the phone with someone about the Mask. He's going."
"The Commander doesn't know our Admiral," Harm winked at Mac. He turned back to his old friend from Academy days. "Sturgis, Admiral Chegwidden avoids this kind of party."
"Like the plague," inserted Bud.
Then Mac added, "He'll arrange to be out of town, just like he is every year."
"Every year?" queried Lieutenant Lauren Singer.
Mac, Harm, and Bud nodded. "Every year," Bud said.
"The Flag Officers who are stationed in this area are required to attend the Mask every year if they're in town. This will be the sixth time that Chegwidden skips out on this thing. You watch; you'll see," Harm said nodding. "He'll miss it."
"Sixth? But I thought..." Mac started.
"The Admiral started at JAG in March. The Ball is in February, so he lucked out the first year," replied Harm before Mac finished her thought.
"Actually, Sir, the Ball moves every year," said Bud.
"Moves, Bud?" questioned Singer. "I thought it was here in DC every year?"
"It is. But the date moves every year. The date of the Ball depends on when Mardi Gras is that year. And the date of Mardi Gras depends on the date of Ash Wednesday. And the date of Ash Wednesday depends on the date of Easter. And the date of Easter depends on the date of the..." Bud was explaining in a long, drawn-out way.
"So, in essence, the date of the Ball depends on Easter?" shortened Mac.
"I guess you could say that; yes, Ma'am," Bud agreed, smiling.
They all laughed. "Oh, Bud, you're too much!" Harm said as he clapped his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"So Chegwidden's never been to one of these?" asked Sturgis.
"That's right."
"I've never been to one of what?" asked Admiral AJ Chegwidden, walking up behind them and surprising his officers.
"Admiral!" "Sir!" "Look who's here!" "Admiral Chegwidden, Sir!" they stammered their greetings.
Only Mac seemed to keep her wits about her. "Admiral, I'm so glad you were able to join us this evening."
"I've never been to what, Mac?" he asked, again, assuming a place between Harm and Mac, and not willing to let the subject go.
"The Mardi Gras Masked Ball, Sir," she replied. "We were starting to discuss the Ball and whether our attendance is required..."
"It is," he groused.
Harriett pinched her husband. "See? I told you."
"How did my not attending happen to come up?" AJ asked.
"Well, Sir, I had just reminded Harm that none of us get out of going this year," Mac said.
"And you said that I'd get out of it, did you, Commander?" AJ turned to Harm.
Harm nodded, "Yes, Sir. I'm afraid I did."
AJ nodded in return. "Actually, Harm, since JAG is the host military presence this year, I was going to ask you to stand in for me that night as acting JAG. Think you can manage that?"
The others tried to stifle their amusement at Harm's discomfiture. "Yes, Sir, I suppose I can handle that assignment, Admiral."
"Good," AJ replied. "Good. One less thing to worry about. Barkeep! Another round, and I'll have whatever's on tap."
"Thank you, Sir." "Thank you, Admiral." they all replied.
As they all received their second round and the Admiral his first, he asked, "Everyone has their costumes reserved by now, I trust?"
"Reserved, Sir?" croaked Harm.
Mac laughed. "Harm, this is a very big party. And it's a very big deal. And costumes, my friend, are required. And they can't be from WalMart's Halloween department. This is a formal party."
"I just thought I'd wear my Mess Dress," Harm said quietly. Mac and Harriett shook their heads, along with the Admiral.
"That's why it's called a masked ball, Harm. You wear a costume with a mask," advised the Admiral.
Harriett smiled. "I reserved Bud's and my costumes three weeks ago. We're going as Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. I can't wait! The costumes are SO great!"
"Peter Pan?!" Bud choked on his drink. "You're going to make me dress up like Peter Pan? Harriett!!"
"It'll be fun, Bud. You'll look great!" assured his wife.
"Well, Bud, you could always be Tinkerbell," teased Harm.
"Harriett, why Tinkerbell and not the girl... you know, the one that Peter Pan took with him to Never Never Land... what's her name?" suggested Sturgis.
"Precisely!" said Harriett. "Every girl wants to be Tinkerbell, but no one can even remember Wendy's name!"
"Wendy!" said Sturgis. "That's it," he nodded.
"Never did like Wendy," said Mac. "I always related to Tink."
"I always liked Wendy's baby brother," said Bud.
"I related to Hook," muttered AJ, to which all of them laughed. AJ grinned. "What about you, Lauren? Chosen your costume, yet?"
She smiled. "Oh, yes, Sir. My date and I are going as Bonnie & Clyde."
"Machine guns and everything, Lauren?" quipped Harm.
"But of course, Sir. What about you, Commander?" she asked Sturgis.
"Well, I'll tell you. I haven't really decided. I was rather thinking of going as Shrek..."
Bud interrupted, "Now that's a cool idea! Harriett, why didn't you pick that?"
"...but all the costumes are already rented. So I imagine there will be a few of those at the Ball. ..." Sturgis continued.
"That's why," supplied Harriett. "It's too new, Bud."
Sturgis finished, "So I think I've about decided on Attar from the Planet of the Apes."
"Come on, Harriett. That's the kind of costume I want to wear," Bud whined. Harriett pinched him, again. "Oww. Harriett..."
"Wait a minute, Sturgis. You're taking Bobbi Latham to this thing, and you're going as an ape?" cried Harm.
"Well... yes. She decided she didn't want to go as a couple in costume, just together as a date. So she's going as Cruella DeVil."
"Oh my God! Bobbi Latham is going to be Cruella DeVil?!" laughed Mac.
"That's priceless!!" agreed AJ, laughing along with Mac, and now Harm and Sturgis, too.
"What about you Harm? Now that you know you have to dress up, what are you going to look for?" asked Mac.
"Don't have a clue, Ninja Girl. Any suggestions?"
AJ asked, "I take it the two of you are going together?"
"Yes, Sir," Harm replied.
"No, Sir," Mac said at the same time.
They turned and looked at each other. "What?" each of them said together.
"You're not going with me?" Harm said.
"You haven't asked," Mac replied.
"We talked about it last week, Mac."
"We talked about the Mask, yes. Not about going to it together."
"Well?"
"Well, what, Stickboy?"
"Maa-ac."
Mac turned back to the Admiral. "No, Sir. We're not going together. Harm can't seem to understand that a woman wants to be asked to these things. He just assumes."
"Not a good thing to do where women are concerned, I've found, Harm," AJ smirked.
"Harm, I do believe that if you ever find that special someone you decide to marry, you'll just assume she'll be at the Church on the day you choose," Mac said shaking her head. The others chuckled at Mac's words; Harm just flushed and drank the rest of his beer.
"So, Mac. What about you? You picked a costume yet?" asked Sturgis.
"Yep. I'm going as Catwoman."
"Catwoman!?" exclaimed Harm. "You mean like in Batman's Catwoman?" Mac nodded. "Mac, that's indecent! You can't do that!"
"What's indecent about it, Harm?" asked the Admiral. "As I recall the show, Catwoman was clothed from her head to her feet. Completely covered in fact," he frowned.
"Yes, Sir, and every single inch of her is visible. It just happens to be black instead of flesh colored. Mac, have you seen those costumes? They're... They're..."
"Harm, it's a black patent jumpsuit. It's no big deal. What's the difference in my wearing that and my wearing a bikini? Actually, a lot. I'm completely covered with the jumpsuit! I practically fall out of my bikini half the time."
"Ooo, Colonel, next time, be sure I'm invited to the pool party!" joked Sturgis.
"Me, too!" agreed Bud. Harriett pinched him, again. "Honey, I'm going to be black & blue!"
"Sure, why not?" Mac laughed. "Admiral, you want to come, too?"
"Most definitely, Mac," he smirked.
They all laughed, again.
Mac turned back to Harm. "So you don't like the idea of my being Catwoman?"
"No, not really," he replied.
"What about Marilyn Monroe? I'd get to be a blonde bimbo for a change."
"Hey! I resemble that remark," quipped Harriett.
"No, Harriett. You're not a bimbo. Harm's old girlfriends? Now they were bimbos," Mac said with a straight face.
"Hey!" Harm complained as the others laughed. "I don't know, Mac. Marilyn Monroe?"
"Okay, how about Betty Boop? Cleopatra? I've got it... Here's one you can't possibly argue with. Lady Liberty!"
"Perfect!" agreed Harm.
"Forget it, Harm. I'm going as Catwoman. And since we aren't going together, you don't have a say in the matter," she informed him.
"Well, I'm certainly not dressing up as Batman," Harm said.
"I have a wonderful idea, Sir," said Harriett. "Why don't you go as Uncle Sam?"
"Only if Mac goes as Lady Liberty," Harm said softly.
Mac looked up at him and saw his puppy-dog eyes bearing down on her. "I'm sorry, Harm. No. You still haven't asked. And in my opinion, now it's too late."
Harm shrugged his shoulders. "Okay. I guess I'll go as... the Scarecrow. 'If I only had a brain'," he said sadly, to the amusement of the others.
"Yea, you go as the Scarecrow and Webb can go as the Tin Man," quipped Mac. "You know, the more I think about it, the more I'd rather go as Marilyn Monroe. That pink dress she wore with the big bow in the back, remember that? It was in 'Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend', I think."
Sturgis nodded. "That's right, Mac."
"I saw that dress at the costume shop. I wonder if it's still available. Hmm, maybe I'll call tomorrow."
"I rather liked the idea of your going as Cleopatra, Mac," grinned Sturgis. "What do you think, Admiral?"
"Cleopatra would be good. So would Catwoman. Marilyn Monroe. Betty Boop. Hell, Mac would even make Shrek look good!" he said as he slugged the last of his beer. "Just remember, Mac. If you're going stag to this thing, decide ahead of time how you want to leave. And choose your costume accordingly," he nodded knowingly.
Mac blushed. "In other words, Catwoman is out if I want to leave alone?"
"You want to leave alone, Mac, you ought to go as the ape!" AJ said. "Well, folks, I'm heading for home. You all have a good weekend. See you Monday. Hopefully not before."
"Good night, Sir." "Good night, Admiral." "Thank you, Sir. You, too."
"I think I'm going to head on out, too," said Mac as the Admiral reached the door. "Good night, everyone."
"I'll call you later, Mac," said Harm.
She nodded and walked to the door. As she reached to pull it open, the door opened from the outside. "Admiral!" she exclaimed. "I thought you left all ready."
"I heard you say you were leaving. Thought I'd wait and see you safely to your car."
"That's very thoughtful of you, Sir. Thank you," said Mac. They headed for the parking lot. "Attar, hmm?"
"Pardon?" AJ asked, confused.
"Attar. The ape. You think I should go as the ape," Mac reminded him.
AJ smiled. "No, Mac. I'd hate to think you deprived the male population at the ball of your beauty." Mac took a quick breath in shock. AJ turned to look at her. "You are a beautiful woman, Mac. Surely you know that?"
Mac almost whispered her answer. "Men tell me that, Sir. But it's always when they want something... expect something in return."
They reached Mac's car and she pressed the remote control to unlock it. AJ opened the door for her. "Well I don't expect anything in return, Mac. You are a beautiful woman. Inside as well as out. Any costume you choose will look wonderful on you, because you are. Wonderful. Beautiful. And sexy," he grinned. "You could even wear a Vegas showgirl costume and get away with it." AJ tapped the end of Mac's nose with his index finger. "But don't, okay?" he grinned.
Mac laughed lightly. "Okay."
"Good night, Mac."
"Good night, Admiral."
Monday, 28 January 2002
0900 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
The officers were all assembled in the conference room waiting for the Admiral to arrive to begin the weekly staff meeting. Mac turned to Harriett and said, "I found the greatest costume on Saturday, Harriett. I went back to the costume shop and told them I'd really rather have something that wasn't so revealing. But I still wanted to look sexy..."
"Colonel, you look sexy in a Marine uniform. There's not much a costume..." Harriett started.
"Harriett!" cried Mac. "Shame on you," they giggled. "Anyway, the owner came out and he said he had the perfect costume for me. He went in the back and came back with a gorgeous dress."
"What is it?" urged Harriett.
"A medieval Queen," said Mac. "It's magnificent, Harriett. Really; it's just... it's gorgeous!" she gushed.
"Oooo, I can't wait to see you in it!" thrilled Harriett.
"I was hoping you might help me decide how to do my hair. It has a full mask, of course, and a wig. But I'm not sure I want to wear the wig. Maybe. But I don't know..." Mac was still talking when the Admiral made his entrance.
"Attention on..." Bud began.
"Keep your seats," the Admiral interrupted. "Let's get started so we can get this week rolling..."
Tuesday, 29 January 2002
2015 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC
Mac sat in front of the mirror in her bedroom. "Are you sure you don't like the wig, Harriett?"
"The wig is okay, Colonel, but it doesn't really do anything for the costume. I think wearing your own hair in a different style will be just fine. Better, actually," said Harriett.
"There's not a lot I can do with my hair this length, you know," Mac said. "And my name is Mac, remember?"
Harriett grinned. "Sorry. Mac. I'm going to call my hairdresser for you tomorrow morning. She can do anything! I've seen her do some fabulous do's for women with hair shorter than yours."
"Harriett, the Mask is on Saturday night. She won't have an opening that day. It's too close."
"Actually, I have an appointment that afternoon. You'll go in my place; she won't mind. My appointment is for an hour, and that's probably what she'd want for you anyway. Don't worry about it. I'll call her tomorrow and be sure it's okay. But plan on it. I know it'll be fine. Michelle is the best!"
Wednesday, 30 January 2002
1045 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harriett knocked on Mac's doorway and stuck her head in the office. "Excuse me, Colonel. Michelle said there wouldn't be a problem. So your appointment is at 1500. She wants you to bring the costume, wig, and the mask with you."
"Wonderful. Thanks so much, Harriett."
"No problem at all, Ma'am."
Harm walked in Mac's office, having heard Harriett's instructions. "An appointment with Michelle at 1500 on Ball day, hmm? Wonder what that could be for?" he teased.
"Getting my hair done, thank you," she said. "Not that it's any business of yours."
"So what did you decide to go as? Catwoman?" Mac shook her head. "Marilyn Monroe, I guess, hmm? That would explain the wig."
Mac smiled. "Nope."
"You going to tell me?"
"I don't think so. See if you can find me that night," she challenged him.
"You're on!"
"So what did you decide on? Or have you yet?" Mac asked him.
"Oh no. You're not telling me? I'm not telling you. I have to find you, but you also have to find me."
"Fine," Mac agreed. "No cheating either."
"Cheating? Me?" Harm looked offended... almost... until he grinned.
"No asking Bud or Harriett about my costume."
"And you can't ask Sturgis or Bud about mine. Deal?" he asked.
"Deal." They shook on it, and Harm left the office whistling 'We're Off To See The Wizard'.
Mac just shook her head. 'Well, obviously, it's not going to be from 'The Wizard of Oz'; that's too obvious.'
Thursday, 31 January 2002
1605 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
The Admiral buzzed his yeoman, "Tiner, tell Rabb and MacKenzie I want to see them in my office... now."
"Aye, aye, Sir." Tiner walked into the bullpen and saw the officers congregating in front of Mac's office. "Excuse me, Colonel. The Admiral wants to see you and Commander Rabb in his office right away."
Mac nodded. "Saved by the bell! Thank you, Tiner."
"Saved, nothing. I still want to know who this guy is you're going with on Saturday, Mac. You didn't have a date last Friday and you turned me down. So who is he?" Harm pestered as they approached the Admiral's office.
"Harm, you never asked me to go with you. You assumed I would. Then you assumed I considered myself asked. Then you assumed I'd agree. Well, you assumed wrong," Mac said flatly as she raised her hand to knock on the Admiral's door. What she knocked on, however, was the Admiral's chest.
"Come in," AJ quipped.
"Oh! Admiral! I'm so sorry, Sir. I didn't see you. I thought your door was closed. Admiral..."
AJ chuckled. "Not a problem, Mac. I won't consider knocking on my chest assault of a senior officer."
Mac flushed. "Thank you, Sir." She and Harm followed him in to his office and they all took their seats.
"So, Harm, you're still dateless for tomorrow night, eh? And Mac has a date, is that what I heard?"
"Yes, Sir," Harm said.
"No, Sir," Mac said.
Harm turned and looked at Mac. "You don't have a date?" Harm said.
"No, I don't," Mac replied.
AJ laughed. "It seems to me that's where this whole thing started!"
"But, Mac, you just said..." Harm tried.
"No, I didn't, Harm. You assumed, again," she said, annoyed.
AJ interrupted. "Okay, enough. You two can finish this disagreement later. I'm about ready to leave for the day... well, weekend, actually... so I want to be sure everything's clear for tomorrow. Commander, you're acting JAG on Saturday, so I'm just going to have you take it for the entire weekend, beginning at 1630 today..."
The Admiral finished giving his instructions to the pair, and they rose to leave. Mac hung back for a moment. "Something else, Colonel?" AJ asked.
"Just an opinion, Sir?" she requested.
"About?"
"My costume for the Mask tomorrow night, Sir."
"Mac, anything you wear will be fine, I'm sure," AJ looked back down to his desk and began stacking his papers to put in his briefcase.
"Even if it's..." Mac began and AJ looked up expectantly.
"Excuse me, Admiral," Tiner interrupted. "Admiral Boone is on Line 3 for you, Sir."
"Have a nice time, Mac," AJ said as he picked up the phone. "Chegwidden."
Mac nodded and left his office, closing the door behind her.
Friday, 1 February 2002
1005 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Bud approached Harm in the bullpen. "Commander, I went back and checked the calendar. The Masked Ball in 1996 was held on February 17; you see Easter was on April 7, which put Ash Wednesday on February 21. Now normally it would have been on February 20, but because 1996 was also a leap year, it added a day, so it was really the 21st. Then that made Mardi Gras start on February 20 instead of February 19. Which would have normally made the Ball February 10, not February 9. But because there were problems scheduling the hotel, they had to make it February 17."
"Bud, did you figure all this out in your head or did you use the computer?" teased Harm.
Harriett was right behind her husband. "What he's getting at, Commander, is that Admiral Chegwidden was here then. He didn't start at JAG until March 20, but he left Hawaii on February 15."
"Which puts him, a Flag Officer, in DC on February 17, the day of the Masked Ball," realized Harm.
"So you think he was there in '96, Harm?" asked Mac.
"That would explain why he's missed it every other year. If something happened that first year that made him not want ever to go back..." suggested Harriett.
"But what would that be? I mean, the Admiral doesn't get frightened away," said Harm, disbelievingly.
"No, but what if all the unattached women were hitting on him?" suggested Mac.
"He'd have loved it!" said Harm.
"Probably right, there," agreed Lauren.
"Maybe none of them did. That wouldn't have been pleasant," suggested Harm.
"Impossible," said Mac.
"What do you mean? Why is it impossible?" asked Harm.
The three women looked at each other and laughed. They all shook their heads. "Totally impossible." Lauren and Harriett agreed with Mac.
"But why?" asked Sturgis.
"It just is."
Harm persisted. "That isn't a reason."
Mac replied, "Because he's AJ Chegwidden. He's smart, articulate, and attentive."
Harriett added, "He's a gorgeous hunk of male with muscles in all the right places."
And Lauren concluded, "And he's available. He's not the kind of man a woman walks past without looking at a second time... and a third time... and as often as she can!"
"Ladies!" exclaimed Sturgis.
"Why so shocked, Commander?" asked Lauren. "Everything we said is true!"
"Lieutenant, do you realize you're talking about your CO?" asked Harm.
Harriett piped up, "You asked the question, Commanders. We're answering it truthfully. If you didn't want to know, you shouldn't have asked."
"Harriett!" cried Bud.
"Geez, I guess it's a good thing he won't be at the Mask tomorrow night!" quipped Harm.
"Don't be ridiculous, Harm. As you said, he's our CO," said Mac.
"Exactly. So it's a shame he won't be there for the single women who don't work for him," agreed Harriett.
"Yea, but you three would be drooling all over yourselves if he was," said Harm.
Lauren said, "Oh right, the way you guys do over women? I don't think so. Not one of you knew what we thought of him until we told you. Not even Bud knew what Harriett thought! Women can control their emotions and thoughts a lot better than men. We can't have something or someone? No big deal. It goes to the back of the brain. Men? Ha! It goes to the groin!"
The men were speechless. Then again, so were Mac and Harriett at this statement. Then suddenly, they all burst into laughter.
"I can't believe we're standing here talking about the Admiral like this!!"
"He'd kill us if he ever found out!"
"You're not kidding."
Saturday, 2 February 2002
1935 EST
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
Mac walked in with Bud and Harriett. Mac never agreed to be Harm's date for the evening, but she did agree to ride with Bud and Harriett.
The Grand Ballroom of the stately old hotel was a sight to behold. It was fully decorated in the purple, green, and gold colors of Mardi Gras. The decorations were lavish and garish, typical for Mardi Gras celebrations.
They all glanced around the room trying to see if they saw their costumes on anyone else. "Look, Colonel, there's Catwoman!" said Harriett. They all looked in the same direction as Harriett. Sure enough, there was a tall, exceptionally stacked woman dressed in a black vinyl jumpsuit. She had dark hair, short, like Mac's, and her mask completely covered her face.
"Geez, Colonel! That could be you!" drooled Bud.
Mac just shook her head.
"Lauren was right," Harriett said, giggling.
"Oh, there's her Batman," offered Bud, seeing a tall well-built man walk up behind Catwoman.
Mac said, "Oh my God, look! There's the Marilyn Monroe costume I was talking about."
"And there's Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam," said Bud.
"I don't see any other Peter Pan and Tinkberbells, though," smiled Harriett.
"No kidding," muttered Bud. "I can't believe you got me to wear this get-up. Tights! She has me in tights!" he complained.
"Excuse me," said Mac. "I need something to drink; my throat is so dry. Anyone want something?" They both shook their heads, and Mac left them.
Harm walked in and immediately joined Bud and Harriett. He laughed as he watched an ape approach with a very evil-looking Cruella DeVil on his arm. "Sturgis! I would recognize you anywhere!" quipped Harm.
"Thanks, Buddy," Sturgis replied through his Attar mask.
"Hello, Bobbi. You're looking lovely, as ever," Harm added.
"Watch it, Commander," Bobbi chuckled. "I love your outfit, though, Harm. Mmm, sexy. Sturgis, you won't mind if I steal away with Harm for a few dances, now will you? I never could resist his chest."
"Hey, what about my chest?" Sturgis argued lightly.
"It's very big and hairy right now, Sturgis," Bobbi laughed as she patted his costume. "We'll take it off later and then we'll see..." she proposed.
"Mmm, sounds good to me."
"So you like my costume, eh?" asked Harm. "By the way, my chest is covered. This armor is heavy!"
"A Roman soldier. Guess you always wanted to be in the Army, hmm?" Bobbi teased.
"Gladiator! I'm a gladiator!" Harm objected.
"May I have this dance, my lovely Tinkerbell?" Bud asked his wife.
Harriett beamed her smile through her half-mask. "Thank you, Peter Pan."
Saturday, 2 February 2002
2010 EST
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
The man dressed in Shakespearean garb walked slowly around the wall of the Grand Ballroom. Watching. Listening. Totally conscious of everything around him. Every conversation. Every person glancing his way. But he was being very quiet, and not many even noticed his presence yet. He stopped and listened to a conversation.
"I wonder if he'll come this year?" Cleopatra asked.
"Oh, God, I hope so," Marilyn Monroe said.
"He's so romantic," added Queen Elizabeth.
"And handsome!" gushed a mermaid.
"How can you tell? He's never removed his mask," said an angel.
"You have to be kidding. You left with him last year. You mean he never took it off? Even when you were together upstairs?" asked Betty Boop.
"Nope. Never did. He does have a magnificent body, though," she giggled.
The Shakespeare man smiled. 'Ah, there's last year's conquest.'
"Powerful is the word I use for him," said Cleopatra.
'Ahh, 1998,' he realized as he moved on. He heard more voices he recognized.
"Oh, he'll show. He always shows," said the Queen of Hearts.
"I wonder which character he'll be this year?" asked Zorro.
'Brutus,' he told them in his mind.
"Well, so far he's been MacBeth, Richard III, Orlando, Hamlet, Romeo, and one other. Who was that...?" wondered Robin Hood.
"Two others. Benedick and Petruchio," answered his Maid Marian.
"So this is his seventh year? I wouldn't have believed it!" replied Zorro.
"Ah, yes. I was his first," said the Queen of Hearts. "1996, what a lovely Ball that was."
'I recognize that voice. Who is she? I had her the first year, but I was so new, I didn't know anyone yet.'
The Mad Hatter approached the group and said to the Queen of Hearts, "Mother, shall we dance?"
'Oh my God! Webb! That means... Porter Webb??' Brutus laughed to himself. 'That's one secret I hope is never discovered, or Webb will break my nose!' AJ remembered back several years ago when he punched Webb in Russia. He moved on around the room and saw an ape and an evil-looking woman.
"Don't Harm and Mac look great tonight?" the ape asked the woman.
"They certainly do," replied the ape.
'So that's what Attar looks like. And Cruella DeVil,' AJ mused as he moved on.
As he moved to the other side of the room, he mused, 'Well, I guess Mac gave in. Shame.' He saw Catwoman dancing with Batman. 'Damn, she is a fine specimen of womanhood. Look at that body. I guess she talked Harm into Batman after all,' he grinned to himself. 'She could've talked him into coming as Adam if she came as Eve!'
Suddenly a movement a few yards away from him caught his eye. 'My God! She's magnificent!' AJ watched the beautiful woman for almost 15 minutes. Several men approached her, and she smiled, refusing each one. 'She's with someone. Waiting for him,' he decided.
She began to move away, so he followed her discreetly. She stopped to talk with Betty Boop and Cleopatra. He could see her mouth moving, but he couldn't quite hear her. The volume in the room had increased greatly in the last 5 minutes and the band was playing louder now to compensate.
"I love your costumes," she said. "I thought about both of those; they're two of my favorites."
"Your gown is magnificent. Where did you find it?" asked Betty Boop.
"The costume shop on Delaware," she replied. "The owner had it in the back. He pulled it out for me when I decided against the Catwoman costume a few days ago."
"It's really something," agreed Cleopatra. "Oh my God! He's here!" she gasped.
"Where?" whispered Betty Boop, turning to look in the direction Cleopatra was. She saw him, too.
"Who?" asked Mac.
'Damn. I'm caught. Well, time to start the act.' AJ walked up to the three women and in a very husky, deeply accented voice that he used only for his Shakespeare characters, he said to Cleopatra, "Know I these women that come along with you?"
"Good evening, kind Sir," replied Cleopatra.
"Give me your hands all over, one by one," he said, taking each of their right hands and kissing them gently. Before releasing each hand, he caught their left hand, too, and held them together, pressed between his own. Romantic, yes; but he was really checking for wedding rings!
Betty Boop whispered to Cleopatra as AJ greeted Mac. "I don't get it. I've never been this close to him before. Why is he talking like that?"
"He stays in character all night. Even if you're lucky enough to be the one who goes upstairs with him later," she whispered back. "Like I said before, the mask stays on, even when everything else comes off."
"You really don't know who he is?" asked Betty.
Cleo shook her head. "Practically everything he'll say tonight is Shakespeare. We have to figure out who he is by the lines he uses."
Mac hadn't heard their whispered conversation. She grinned to herself. 'This is Harm. I'm sure of it. And he obviously doesn't know it's me yet. So I'll play along.' Mac lowered her voice to a throaty rasp and threw in an accent, too. "It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Sir. And what game shall you play tonight?"
"Ah, Madam; I am not gamesome; I do lack some part of that quick spirit," he replied.
"No games?" Mac parried. "No tricks either? What fun is that?"
"There are no tricks in plain and simple faith, Madam."
"Faith? And would you that I should have faith in you?" she asked, warming to her role.
'This woman is magnificent. She's even playing the role of a medieval queen. Incredible!' "How I have thought of this, and of these times, I shall recount hereafter; for this present, I would, so with love I might entreat you, be further moved." Mac moaned. Taking her response as a negative, he continued, "Let me not hinder your desires; I'll leave you."
"Nay, kind Sir! Do not leave me. Stay. Will you dance with such as I?" she asked demurely, lowering her head slightly.
"I shall be satisfied," he bowed, extending his gloved hand to her.
Mac was truly amazed. 'I never thought Harm could pull off something like this. It's so out of character for him.' "Kind Sir, I still know not how to address you."
"Brutus, my love. And you are?"
"You may call me Portia," she answered, recognizing the character and the play.
AJ swept Mac into his arms and on the dance floor. He whirled her around and around and brought her back close to his chest. He dipped her within an inch of the floor and raised her within a whisper of his lips. As the song finished, he took her back to Cleopatra and Betty Boop, thanking her for the dance and requesting another later in the evening.
"Wow. He's magnificent!" said Betty.
"He is that," agreed Mac.
"And just wait until he gets you upstairs. Now that's where he's really magnificent!" said Cleopatra.
"What?" croaked Mac.
"You don't know?"
"Know... what?"
"He's here every year as a different Shakespeare character. He dances with all the single women he finds, and he chooses one to take upstairs at the end of the evening. And that lucky lady enjoys him all night. And I mean to tell you, enjoys is hardly the word," Cleo explained.
Mac's jaw fell open. "You mean... Then it's not... Oh my God!"
"What's wrong?" asked Betty.
"I thought it was my partner! Harm! But it couldn't be. Not if..." Mac turned to see Brutus back on the dance floor with another woman. Catwoman! Suddenly she was very jealous.
AJ held Catwoman at a safe distance. She purred in his ear and growled, "Closer, hold me closer."
"Would you give me some worthy cause to wish things done, undone?" he replied, believing he was dancing with Mac.
"Why would you wish it undone? I know about you. And I'm willing. So very willing," she purred. "I'll dump Batman in a heartbeat to be with you."
"Ahh, I know that we shall have him well to friend. And so I say farewell," AJ said quickly as he returned Catwoman to Batman's side. 'My God, Mac! You were just going to jump in bed with the first guy who asked you tonight? That's not like you. I wonder if Harm's let her have alcohol tonight? She certainly acted like it.'
AJ picked out Harriett in her Tinkerbell costume and danced with her. Then he found Lauren dressed as Bonnie. He danced with her, too. Then he made his way over to Porter, the Queen of Hearts. "I remember you as Orlando. Who are you tonight?" she asked him quietly, glancing over toward her son to be sure he wasn't hearing her.
AJ saw her glance. "Thy master is a wise and valiant man; I never thought him worse."
"You know my son?"
AJ nodded. "Tell him, so please him come unto this place, he shall be satisfied and, by my honour, depart untouched." AJ bowed, kissed her hand saying, "I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery," and backed away from her, leaving Porter totally confused. AJ chuckled to himself.
"What on earth did he mean by that?" she wondered aloud. "He knows my son. So he obviously knows who I am now. But it sounded like Clayton thinks he would hurt him. I must have it wrong. Old English never was my strong point," she decided.
AJ danced with many more woman, always staying in character in word and action. He could hear himself being discussed as he moved around the floor with a different woman in his arms each dance. Every year it was the same. They were trying to determine his identity. Only three people knew. He and his sister, Adele. Adele helped him the first couple of years by assembling his costume. Now she arranged for a new mask every year, but AJ did the costume himself. And the SecNav knew. He'd only known for two years. AJ had finally had to tell him the truth; Nelson wasn't going to excuse him, again. But once AJ explained that he had, indeed, been present every year, but in the true spirit of the Masked Ball, had remained incognito, Nelson allowed him to continue the charade. 'Only nice thing he's ever done for me as long as I've known him.'
Harm and Mac had finally found each other and were dancing together when AJ spied his Portia, again. 'A gladiator? She's dancing with a damned gladiator! He looks pretty good, too. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that was Rabb. Can't be, though. He's over there as Batman with Mac. God, I hope he's keeping her on a tighter leash now than he was earlier.'
As he waited until the music ended, he stood amidst a crowd of people urging him to talk. "More, Brutus. Give us more from the play!" they requested.
"Be not deceived: if I have veiled my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance merely upon myself. Vexed I am of late with passions of some difference, conceptions only proper to myself, which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors."
Several of the men groaned, "What the hell did he say?"
But the women giggled their delight.
He continued, "But let not therefore my good friends be grieved, nor construe any further my neglect, than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, forgets the shows of love to others."
The music faded, and AJ excused himself. He approached Mac and without a word, swept her into his arms and whirled her back onto the dance floor. Mac almost slipped and used her regular voice, but caught herself just in time. 'Why does it matter, though? He isn't Harm. No, but it's so much more exciting this way!' she decided.
Sunday, 3 February 2002
0030 EST
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
As one song finished and another began, they continued dancing well into the night. They did little talking, mostly dancing, molding the other to their form, nibbling on each other's ears, and gazing into each other's eyes.
It was obvious to everyone present that Brutus had chosen his woman for the night. As Bud and Harriett mingled with the other guests, they heard the stories about the 'Shakespeare man' as he was dubbed. "Harriett, don't you think we ought to let the Colonel know what he's expecting?" Bud whispered to his wife.
"Look at her, Bud. She knows, believe me. And from all appearances, she's completely willing," Harriett informed her husband. "I think we should just leave her alone."
Harm walked up at that point. "Leave who alone?" he asked.
"The Colonel's been dancing with the 'Shakespeare man' for a long time now. I just think we ought to warn her that he's planning on taking her upstairs for the night," said Bud.
"What!?" exclaimed Harm. "No way! Where are they?" Harm started looking around.
"Commander, she came alone, remember. You're not together tonight," said Harriett.
"The hell we're not! I'm taking her home whether she likes it or not!"
"Harm, I don't think that approach is going to win points with her," said Sturgis, hearing Harm's outburst and coming to his friend's side.
"I'm not going to let some Shakespeare gigolo take Mac upstairs," Harm determined, walking away having spotted Mac.
Mac saw him coming and suggested to Brutus that they go outside. She slipped her hand in AJ's and pulled him with her, taking cover behind several other couples as she threaded their way to the outer doors. The cold air slapped them in the face. It was almost 0100, and the temperature had dropped to below 20 degrees. Even though there were chimineas situated around the porch, it was still very, very cold.
"My dear Portia, it is not for your health thus to commit your weak condition to the raw-cold morning." As AJ spoke, there were a few other brave souls who were standing outside, and they perked up at his words. Neither AJ nor Mac realized they now had an audience... and that it was growing, as one of the listeners motioned to people inside to come and hear.
Recognizing the lead-in to Portia's only real speech in the entire play, one which Mac had been assigned to memorize for a public speaking class in college, she decided to roll with it and see what she remembered. She remembered it all, as luck would have it. And she even remembered the movement that her teacher had wanted her to use.
"Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus, stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper, you suddenly arose, and walked about, musing and sighing, with your arms across; and, when I asked you what the matter was, you stared upon me with ungentle looks: I urged you further; then you scratched your head, and too impatiently stamped with your foot: Yet I insisted, yet you answered not; but, with an angry wafture of your hand, gave sign for me to leave you. So I did; fearing to strengthen that impatience which seemed too much enkindled; and withal hoping it was but an effect of humour, which sometime hath his hour with every man. It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep; and, could it work so much upon your shape as it hath much prevailed on your condition, I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief." Mac hung on AJ's arm at this last, begging him.
AJ was highly impressed; he'd never yet met a woman who could pick up in the middle of play and quote with him. Well, except for Romeo and Juliet. "I am not well in health, and that is all," he replied tersely.
Mac retorted, "Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, he would embrace the means to come by it."
"Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed."
Mac released his arm and paced back and forth in front of AJ. "Is Brutus sick? And is it physical to walk unbraced and suck up the humours of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, and will he steal out of his wholesome bed to dare the vile contagion of the night, and tempt the rheumy and unpurged air to add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus; you have some sick offense within your mind, which, by the right and virtue of my place, I ought to know of: and,..." dropping to her knees and taking hold of his hands, "...upon my knees, I charge you, by my once commended beauty, by all your vows of love, and that great vow which did incorporate and make us one, that you unfold to me, yourself, your half, why you are heavy, and what men tonight have had resort to you; for here have been some six or seven, who did hide their faces even from darkness."
AJ pulled her to her feet. "Kneel not, gentle Portia."
"I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus." Mac took his hands and pulled them to her breast. "Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, is it excepted I should know no secrets that appertain to you? Am I yourself, but, as it were, in sort or limitation, to keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, and talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife."
AJ moved his hand to Mac's mask. "You are my true and honorable wife; as dear to me as are the ruddy drops that visit my sad heart."
"If this were true, then should I know this secret. I grant I am a woman; but withal a woman that Lord Brutus took to wife. I grant I am a woman; but withal a woman well reputed, Cato's daughter. Think you I am no stronger than my sex being so fathered and so husbanded? Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose them. I have made strong proof of my constancy,.." Mac lifted her skirt to reveal her right thigh, shocking all present, including AJ, "...giving myself a voluntary wound here in the thigh: can I bear that with patience and not my husband's secrets?"
AJ took Mac into his arms. "O ye gods! Render me worthy of this noble wife!" AJ pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. "Now, Portia, go in awhile; and by and by thy bosom shall partake the secrets of my heart. All my engagements I will construe to thee, all the charactery of my sad brows. Leave me with haste." AJ reached out and caressed her before she turned to leave. Mac breathed in sharply at his touch that seemed to burn through the fabric, even as cold as it was outside. She turned and ran in the building, completely in character. AJ turned and looked out the other direction.
The crowd that had gathered went wild, clapping, whistling, cheering. "Encore! Encore!" they called.
AJ turned around and saw his Portia standing just inside the doorway, obviously waiting for him. He turned and started to walk inside, but the crowd kept him at bay. "Good countrymen, let me depart," he requested. They made way for him, and he took her hand and threaded it through his elbow; they walked back to the dance floor and no one else in the room existed for them.
AJ couldn't believe this woman. 'Who is she? Why have I never seen her here before? Surely I would recognize her even in costume if she'd been here? And yet, she's so familiar. Her form, her grace, her strength. Will she let me take her tonight? Will she yield to my urging?'
Mac was completely engrossed in the man holding her. 'Who could he be? He's wonderful, so strong, he dips me and brings me up as though I weigh no more than a feather. And his eyes are so dark and piercing. Will he want me tonight? Will I let him take me? Oh yes, there's no question.'
Harm watched them together, again. He had also witnessed the scene on the porch and knew there was nothing he could say to Mac now that would dissuade her from this man.
"Peace! Count the clock," said AJ as the enormous grandfather clock at the end of the ballroom struck 0200.
"My Lord Brutus, are thou sleepy?" joked Mac.
"Believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom; and awake your senses, that you may the better judge."
"I would say not. You then wish to take your leave and say good night?" Mac asked quietly.
"Thou hast described a hot friend cooling. Nay, not this."
"What then?" she prodded.
"I will be good to thee," AJ whispered to her, stroking her arms gently. "Fates, I will know your pleasures."
"Take me then, Husband. Take me up to bed," Mac whispered back.
AJ pulled Mac to his side and wrapped his arm around her as they headed for the exit.
"You're not leaving!" cried another guest. "I was so hoping you'd favor us with another scene from Shakespeare."
"Good night, and good repose," AJ said.
"I believe she meant a little longer than that, my Lord," Mac chided.
"Dost thou wish it?" AJ asked her. Mac nodded. "Hear me, for I will speak!" AJ yelled, releasing Mac and wandering into the middle of the dance floor. The music stopped. The dancers moved away. "Companion, hence!" AJ called to his Portia.
Mac moved to his side and he pulled her into his embrace. "Music to hear, why hearest thou music sadly? Sweets with sweets war not, joy delights in joy. Why lovest thou that which thou receivest not gladly, or else receivest with pleasure thine annoy? If the true concord of well-tuned sounds, by unions married, do offend thine ear, they do but sweetly chide thee, who confounds in singleness the parts that thou shouldst bear. Mark how one string, sweet husband to another, strikes each in each by mutual ordering; resembling sire and child and happy mother, who, all in one, one pleasing note do sing: whose speechless song being many, seeming one, sings this to thee: 'Thou single wilt prove none'."
The crowd cheered. "More! More!" When Portia also requested more, AJ acquiesced. He grabbed a chair from a table and pulled it out to the center of the floor. He whirled her around it easily and then sat her in it. He was all the more impressed with his choice of lady for the night as she gracefully took her seat. AJ got on one knee before her, but he didn't stay there long. He was up and walking around her chair as he spoke. She turned easily in her seat to follow his movements.
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou are more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, and summer's lease hath all too short a date. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, and often is his gold complexion dimmed. And every fair from sometime declines, by chance, or nature's changing course untrimmed. But they eternal summer shall not fade, nor lose possession of that fair thou owest. Nor shall death brag thou wanderest in his shade, when in eternal lines to time thou growest." AJ returned to one knee in front of his Portia and took her hands in his, bringing them to his chest. "So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee."
His voice carried such authority, yet such tenderness and devotion, he had the entire room mesmerized by his delivery. Before they had time to recover, AJ rose and, taking Mac by the hand, said, "Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily. Let not our looks put on our purposes, but bear it as our officers do, with untired spirits and formal constancy. And so, good morrow to you every one."
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as AJ and Mac left the ballroom. They reached the elevator and neither said a word. AJ pressed the Up button; it was now totally obvious what he intended. Would she refuse to go with him, he wondered?
Sunday, 3 February 2002
0225 EST
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
The elevator doors opened and, placing his hand on the small of her back, he pressed lightly. Mac stepped forward, and he followed her into the small space. He pressed the number 10 button. The old elevator slowly made its way to the top floor. When the doors opened, again, they walked down the hall to the only set of double doors. AJ withdrew his room key and opened the door. As Mac was about to enter the room, AJ stopped her. "Everything is well?" he asked her, giving her a chance to change her mind.
"Everything is wonderful," she breathed.
Something about that voice. She hadn't used the accent this time. It was low, breathy, but there was just something about that voice that was familiar.
"Is something wrong?" she asked when he didn't follow her immediately.
AJ walked in the room and closed the doors, putting the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the outside doorknob. He didn't turn around, so Mac walked up behind him and put her hands on his back, moving them up to his shoulders. "Soft, who comes here?" he whispered.
"Only me," she said back. "Do you still want me?" In answer, AJ picked her up and carried her into the suite. He laid her down gently in the middle of the bed. "Shall I remove my mask?" she asked.
"By your choice, fair Portia," AJ said as he kissed her décolleté shoulder.
"Then I shall leave it on." AJ moved his kisses along her shoulder and across the top of her chest. Mac moaned her pleasure, but rolled away from him and stood up.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"You do have protection, don't you?" she asked.
He smiled. "He who is given to sports, to wildness, and much company? Yes, I have protection." He reached in his pocket and dumped a handful of foil packets on the bed.
"I should tell you something," Mac said.
"What is it that you would impart to me?" he replied.
"I should tell you about..."
"O name him not! Let us not break with him, for he will never follow anything that other men begin."
"Do you know me? Know who I am?" she asked, slightly worried.
"The eye sees not itself but by reflection, by some other thing."
Mac laughed. "That didn't answer my question! Do you?"
AJ shook his head as he laughed low and steady. He'd done nothing to give away his identity in all these years; he wasn't going to slip up now.
"Good. We'll keep it that way, shall we?" Mac offered. He nodded. The next thing he knew, she was kneeling on the bed and unbuttoning his shirt. She didn't seem to need any help, so he let her go at her own pace, which was rather speedy. Mac pulled the shirt out of his pants and pulled it off of him. When she looked back at his now bare chest, she was shocked to see salt & pepper hair covering his chest. She smiled and said, "Mmm, so you're not a young pup. I'm glad. My dream lover is older than me, too," she murmured, lowering her face to his chest.
AJ wondered how old this woman was. 'God, I hope she's over 30!' he thought to himself. So far, he'd always chosen a woman fairly close to his own age. 'Although in 2000, my lady was 12 years younger than I.'
Mac moved up and sucked on his neck, leaving a rather large hickey. But in so doing, she dislodged his mask slightly. "Sorry," she breathed. "I'll let you adjust that while I move south," she purred, forgetting her accent once, again.
As she moved down, that nagging thought that he should recognize her voice came back. 'Who is she?' AJ pulled her off of him and flipped her on her back. He unbuttoned her dress and peeled away the layers, one by one. He finally reached the undergarments; everything she wore appeared to be a period piece... even the corset! 'No wonder she was almost falling out of that gown.' He began unlacing her and decided to do it slowly to tease her.
"Can't you do that any faster?" she asked.
"Mmm hmm."
"Why don't you?"
"I have the patience to endure it now."
"You're still quoting the play, aren't you?"
"Mmm hmm."
"Well, almost always."
"Mmm hmm," he chuckled as he nibbled on her ear.
"Oh, God... so good..."
"Shhh, peace then; no words," he told her. She moaned her agreement as they made love together.
AJ rolled off of her before he collapsed on her; the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. He felt her turn on her side toward him and throw her arm across his chest. She laid her head into the crook of his neck and kissed him. "That was by far the best I've ever had. Thank you," she breathed.
That nagging thought came back, again. 'Who is she?'
Sunday, 3 February 2002
0515 EST
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
AJ stroked her back as she slept in his arms. 'She has a magnificent body.'
As though she could hear his thoughts, she awoke and smiled. "Good morning," she said sleepily.
AJ smiled back. "What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school."
Mac at once put her accent back in place and spoke. "He did very well earlier. And I have no doubt that he will, once again, perform to the utmost satisfaction of all. How about now?" she propositioned.
"I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest."
"Rest? I need no further rest. Come! Take me now," she urged.
"That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; what you would work me to, I have some aim: what you have said, I will consider."
"You're really good at this, you know that?" she said. He smiled and ran his thumb over her breast. "That's not what I meant. Although you are outstanding in that area, as well. I meant your quoting from Shakespeare."
"Even so," he replied.
Mac felt something on his chest, so she looked at him and saw a long scar. She ran her finger across it. "Does this hurt anymore?" He shook his head. She leaned forward and kissed it. "In the line of duty?" He nodded. She kissed it, again, and ran her tongue over the length of it. "Thank you," she said. AJ smiled as she moved between his legs.
AJ jerked in surprise. "God, woman!" he barked in his normal voice... well, his normal sexually aroused voice. One that Mac had never heard, so didn't quite recognize... but knew in the back of her mind, she should.
'Do I know this man?' she wondered. 'Impossible. After all we've done together? I'd know it. Surely.'
After they made love this time, Mac, again, fell asleep. AJ stroked her arms as he rolled on his side. "It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; I will not hold thee long."
Sunday, 3 February 2002
0845 EST
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
Mac awoke and reached over to snuggle with Brutus. He was gone. She felt of the bed; it was cold. He'd been gone a while. She got up and looked around the suite. His clothes were gone. And hers were neatly hanging in the closet. She sniffed the air and smelled coffee. She drew the sheet around her and padded out to the living area of the suite. On the table was a breakfast tray, a newspaper, and a note.
She read the note first.
My Lovely Portia,
Shakespeare's 18th says it best, as I spoke it to you last night:
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou are more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
and summer's lease hath all too short a date.
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
and often is his gold complexion dimmed.
And every fair from sometime declines,
by chance, or nature's changing course untrimmed.
But they eternal summer shall not fade,
nor lose possession of that fair thou owest.
Nor shall death brag thou wanderest in his shade,
when in eternal lines to time thou growest.
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
so long lives this, and this gives life to thee."Until we meet, again, Fair Lady.
Brutus
P.S. The room and any room service you desire is yours until Monday at 1000 hours, and the hotel limo is at your disposal.
Mac collapsed in the chair and pulled her mask off for the first time in 13 hours and 42 minutes. She poured a cup of coffee and took a sip. She set the cup down and opened the paper. There on the front page was a picture of Brutus dancing with her. And another of him kneeling before her as she sat in the chair in the center of the dance floor. She quickly read the article, hoping it would reveal his identity. But it didn't. It didn't even reveal hers.
"Oh, Brutus! How will I ever find you, again?"
