The Mask - Part 2

Monday, 4 February 2002
0855 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac came barreling through the double doors into the JAG Ops bullpen.  She was late, and she hated to be late.  "So, you decided to join us after all, eh, Mac?" quipped Harm.

"Don't start, Harm," Mac growled as she unlocked her office and dropped her briefcase on her desk.

"Uh oh.  Someone's in a bad mood," he said.

"I'm running late, that's all," she said, hurriedly pulling files from her case.  "And I've only got 4 minutes until the staff meeting."

"No, actually, you have 19 minutes until the staff meeting," Harm said.

"What?" she stopped and looked up at him.

"The Admiral is on an overseas call.  He moved the staff meeting back 15 minutes.  We're starting at 0915 today."

"Oh, thank God," Mac sighed and fell back into her chair.

Harriett knocked on her door.  "Good morning, Colonel," she said happily.  "I brought you a cup of coffee, a chocolate donut, and did you see yesterday's front page, Ma'am?"

"Harriett, you're wonderful!  Thank you," Mac said reaching for the donut and taking a bite before she took the coffee from Harriett's hand.  "Mmm, this is soooo good."  Harriett stood in Mac's office, grinning at her.  Mac finally looked up and noticed that she was still there... and so was Harm.  "What?" she said with her mouth full of donut.

"Well?  Did you see the paper, Mac?" Harm asked.  She nodded as she took another bite.  "How'd you get home, Mac?" Harm asked.  "Did you tell him where you lived?"

Mac swallowed hard.  'Uh oh.  Here it comes,' she realized.  "No, Harm.  I didn't.  The hotel limo took me home."

"The hotel limo?  Ohhh, how romantic!" cried Harriett.  

Mac smiled at her friend.  "Alone, Harriett."

"Alone?" she repeated, disappointed.  Mac noticed that Harm was fighting a smile, though.

"Yes, alone.  He left... earlier.  While I was still asleep," Mac explained.  She did not want to go into any detail with them.  

"You mean you fell asleep?  So, he was a dud, huh?  So boring that you fell asleep.  I knew it.  I figured as much.  Sorry it turned out so bad for you, Mac," Harm fought his grin and the lilt in his voice, but Mac knew they were there.

"That's such a shame, Colonel.  You really seemed to be enjoying yourself with him at the Mask," said Harriett.

"Oh, I did, Harriett.  I did.  The Mask was truly wonderful," Mac said.

Harm's phone rang, so he left Mac's office to catch it.

"It really is a shame that he ended up being a dud, though," continued Harriett.

Mac grinned and whispered.  "He wasn't a dud, Harriett.  The Mask was wonderful, but the night that followed was absolutely incredible!"

Harriett's eyes grew large and her smile practically covered her face.  "Really?" she giggled, raising her eyebrows.

Mac nodded.  "The best, Harriett.  Absolutely the best time I've ever had.  This guy was amazing.  I fell asleep from exhaustion."

"So when are you going to see him, again?"

"That's going to be a little difficult," said Mac.

"Why?"

"We never took our masks off, Harriett.  We never told each other our real names."

"You don't know who he was?" cried Harriett.

Mac shook her head.  "No," she sighed.  "I didn't expect him to be gone when I woke up."

"Did he leave you anything?"

Mac nodded.  "A note."

"That's all?" Harriett questioned, as they made their way to the conference room.

"A love note, Harriett.  And he'd reserved the suite until 1000 this morning in case I wanted to stay another day.  And room service was covered.  And of course, the hotel limo was there for me whenever I wanted it."

"Mmmm, sounds dreamy."

Mac sighed, again.  "He was.  I just wish I knew how to reach him."

As they walked in the conference room, Mac heard Harm talking to Sturgis.  "She fell asleep!  He must have been a real loser."

The Admiral walked in, hearing this last.  "Keep your seats," he said.  "Who was a real loser, Commander?"

"Uh... just discussing the Mask, Sir," Harm said, avoiding an explanation if at all possible.  "Your neck, Admiral.  Are you okay?  Looks like you have a..."

"My neck is perfectly fine, Commander," AJ said quickly.  He did not want to have to explain a hickey at his age.  "I understood the Masked Ball was a complete success.  You're saying something was wrong?"

"No, Sir, he's not," offered Mac.  "He's referring to the gentleman I left with after the Mask, Admiral."  Mac emphasized the word for Harm's benefit.  She glanced at the Admiral's neck.  'Funny, that's just about where I left my mark on Brutus,' she smiled to herself.

AJ nodded.  "I see.  Well.  Thank you all for attending and I hope you had a good time."

They all agreed that they did.  "Yes, Sir."  "It was a lovely Ball, Admiral."  "You should try to attend next year, Sir; it really is a nice affair."  AJ jerked his head up at the last word, but no one seemed to notice.  

"Harm, thank you for filling in for me.  I trust you left your Batman cape at home today?" AJ smirked, not expecting an answer.

"Shield, Sir," Harm replied.

"Shield?  Since when does Batman carry a shield?" the Admiral asked, furrowing his brow.

"I didn't go as Batman, Sir.  I was a gladiator," Harm explained.

"A gladiator!?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Hmm," AJ grunted.  'So who the hell was Batman?  He sure didn't look like a loser the way Mac was hanging on him by the end of the night.'

Monday, 4 February 2002
1445 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac and Harriett were in the break room getting sodas and chatting.  "Harriett, thanks, again, for letting me take your hair appointment on Saturday.  I really appreciate it.  And you're right, Michelle is great.  She took one look at my costume and mask and knew exactly what to do with my hair.  And it was perfect; I loved it!"

"I did, too.  It was beautiful, Ma'am!"

"I asked her if she's taking any new clients right now, and she said since I was a friend of yours, she would.  I'm so glad."

"You'll love her, Colonel.  She does such a great job.  I've never known anyone to be dissatisfied with her work," Harriett gushed.

"Well, I certainly need a new beautician.  Every time I go to my salon, I get a different person and my hair looks worse than the time before!" Mac shook her head in disgust.  "I wish Shirley hadn't moved.  She was really good."  Mac bent over and opened the cabinet under the coffeemaker.  "Isn't this where you stash the candy, Harriett?  There's none in here."

AJ walked in while Mac was bent over looking in the cabinet.  He didn't say a word, just leaned against the door frame and watched Mac shift her weight from one leg to another, her skirt raising up half way on her thighs.  

"No, Ma'am.  I moved it.  It's in the next cabinet to the left."

Mac opened the other cabinet and searched through the box filled with candy bars until she found the one she wanted.  "Ah, here it is.  Butterfinger!"  She stood up and knocked the cabinet door closed with her foot as she turned around.  "Admiral, Sir!" she exclaimed.

"Good afternoon, Sir," smiled Harriett as she walked out quickly.

Mac self-consciously smoothed her hands over her skirt, making sure it was in place.  "I didn't hear you come in, Sir," said Mac quietly.

"That was quite obvious, Colonel," AJ chuckled.  "So you enjoyed the Mask Saturday night?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir, very much indeed," Mac replied happily.

"Even with Harm as a gladiator, eh?" he grinned.

"Actually, I didn't spend a lot of time with Harm.  We danced a couple of times, had a couple of drinks together.  That was about it."  Mac unwrapped her candy bar and took a bite.

"So someone else filled the rest of your evening, hmm?  The 'loser' Harm was talking about earlier?"

"I don't think he considers himself a loser, Admiral," Mac replied seductively, at which AJ lifted his eyebrow to her.  "At least, I hope not," she said wistfully, looking down at her candy bar.

"I haven't figured out how you can eat as much junk food as you do and stay trim enough to wear a Catwoman costume."

"Oh, but I..." Mac started to tell him about her costume change, but Harm walked in around the Admiral and opened the fridge.  

He grabbed a soda, and popping the top open, said, "Impromptu meeting?"

AJ replied, "No, Commander.  Just enjoying the view," to which Mac blushed furiously.  She turned back toward the counter to keep Harm from seeing her.  So AJ said, "Mac, see if there's a Snickers in that box, will you?"

"Certainly, Admiral," she answered as Harm left the room.  Mac wasn't sure what to do.  'He obviously appreciated what he saw... but it isn't very professional to bend over like that.  Oh what the hell!' she decided.  She was is a great mood after her weekend.  She opened the cabinet and bent over to search through the box, again.  She found the candy bar right away, but she stayed there, rummaging through the box for another few seconds, shifting her weight from one leg to the other, giving AJ a good look at her legs and butt.  She finally said, "Here's one."  She pushed the box back inside the cabinet and stood up, swinging the door shut with her foot, again.  She smiled at AJ as she handed it to him.  "Snickers, Sir."

"Thank you, Colonel," AJ grinned, taking the candy bar from her hand and allowing his fingers to graze hers.  As he walked back to his office, he thought to himself, 'Damn, Chegwidden!  You've never been so horny after the Mask before.  Why this time?'

Harm got back to his office and thought, "View?  What view?  There's no window in the break room..."

Wednesday, 6 February 2002
1135 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ was facing the window as he spoke on the phone to his sister, so he didn't see Mac and Harm as they stood in his doorway waiting for his signal to enter.  "Adele, I'm not going to give you all the details.  Suffice it to say, the night was a complete success." 

"Albert, all I want to know is if you got a little that night?"

"No, Adele."  

"No, you didn't get any?  What happened?" she sounded shocked.  

"No, I didn't get a little.  I got a lot," AJ chuckled.   Harm poked Mac in the side with his elbow and grinned.

"Oooo, do tell, brother dear!"

"Darlin', you can beg all you want, but I am not going to tell you anymore than that." 

"What's her name?"

"Don't know."

"You're still doing it that way?  Albert, why?  Did she take her mask off so at least you'll recognize her?"

"No, she didn't," AJ replied.  

"But Albert!  How are you going to find her, again?"

"I'm not, obviously."

"You don't want to?"

"Adele, I've told you before, that's not the point of this."

"Albert, you are soooo exasperating!"

"Well, at least you didn't call me frustrating this time," he joked as he turned from the window and saw his two officers standing in the doorway looking rather amused.  "Adele, I have to go.  I have a meeting."

"With Mac?"

AJ chuckled.  "Yes.  With Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie."

"Rats.  When are you going to move her so you can start dating her?"

"Not going to happen; I'll talk to you later, Adele.  Bye."  AJ set the receiver on the hook.  "Come in.  Have a seat," he told his officers.

"I'm sorry about eavesdropping, Sir.  It wasn't intentional," offered Mac.

"Not a problem, Colonel.  That was my sister, Adele.  She calls just to try my patience every so often," replied AJ.

"Does your sister ever visit, Sir?  I don't recall your ever mentioning her coming here before," said Harm.

"No, Adele doesn't travel much anymore.  Last time she visited me was in Hawaii," he remembered.  "I go see her when I can.  Usually once or twice a year."  He took his seat and said, "Okay, what is it you two wanted to see me about?"

Friday, 8 February 2002
1735 EST
McMurphy's Tavern
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ walked into the bar and saw his people laughing together.  As he approached them, he heard Mac talking.  "Shakespeare is very romantic, Harm.  You should learn some sonnets to quote to your... oh, forgive me," she laughed.  "I suppose your blonde bimbos wouldn't have a clue what you were saying."

Sturgis laughed outright.  "Harm, you've really got yourself a reputation around here, haven't you, Buddy?"

"He certainly has, Commander," said AJ as he reached them.  "Quite a few, in fact.  Women?  Blondes.  Cars?  'Vettes.  Planes?  F-14s.  Courtroom?..."

"Machine guns," inserted Mac, to which everyone laughed, and Harm looked chagrinned.  

"Okay, okay.  But I still say a guy's not going to get anywhere with a woman by quoting Shakespeare," argued Harm.

"I beg to differ, Commander," said AJ.  "Let me see, there was the actress from Field of Gold, and then there was Sydney Walden..."

"That's right!  I'd forgotten you gave Dr. Walden that book for her birthday, Sir," said Mac.  "I take it she appreciated it very much," she smiled.

AJ nodded, "She was incredibly grateful, Colonel."  He turned to look at Harm.  "Incredibly."

"So you use Shakespeare a lot, do you, Sir?" asked Sturgis.

"No, not a lot.  Just every now and then," AJ said.  "How did this subject come up, anyway?" he asked, as if he didn't know.  They were obviously discussing last week's Masked Ball.

"We were discussing Mac's date of last weekend, Sir," said Harriett.

AJ turned to look at Mac and lifted his eyebrow.  "Your date quoted Shakespeare, Mac?" he grinned.  "Or you wanted him to?"  AJ took a swig of the beer he was just served.  He couldn't quite picture Batman quoting Shakespeare.

Mac smiled.  "He not only quoted it, Sir.  He lived it."  AJ choked as he swallowed.  "Sir, are you okay?" Mac asked, rushing to his side and rubbing his back as he coughed.

"Yes," he choked out.  "Fine, thank you, Colonel."  She removed her hand.  "Just swallowed wrong.  Lived it, you say?  How so?"

"At the Masked Ball, Sir," said Bud.

Harriett picked it up.  "There's a man who goes to the Mask every year as a different Shakespearean character.  He quotes from a play all night long; practically everything he says is straight out of the play or at least a sonnet."

AJ nodded.  "I've heard about him."

"He picks out one woman during the evening and she's the one he settles his favors on that night," continued Harriett.

"Favors, Harriett?" said Harm.

"Yes, favors," replied Mac.  "Definitely... favors," she smirked.  Harm blanched and AJ coughed.

"Go on," urged AJ, clearing his throat.

"Well, this year, he came as Brutus from Julius Caesar."

"Brutus.  Not a very romantic character, Brutus; at least not as I remember him," quipped AJ.

"Oh, but he was very romantic, Admiral," said Mac.

"He danced with you, I take it, Mac?" grinned AJ.

"And then some," quipped Harm, obviously jealous.  Mac blushed.  AJ lifted his eyebrow at Mac in question.

"Yes, Sir.  We danced quite a lot, actually."

"Must have been quite a sight.  Brutus and Catwoman," he said lightly.  'I only danced with you once, Mac.  What are you talking about?' he wondered.

"I didn't go as Catwoman, Admiral," Mac began to explain.

"I should say not!  Your gown was magnificent.  You looked far better than Catwoman... or anyone else there that night!  Brutus thought so, too, obviously."  Harriett turned to her CO and added, "They even took a little stroll out on the patio in 20-degree weather!"

'A gown?  A stroll?  Uh oh,' thought AJ.

"And they quoted almost an entire scene between Brutus and his wife, Portia.  Mac was magnificent!" said Sturgis.

'Oh God.  It couldn't be.  It's not possible.'

"Then he quoted two entire sonnets to her," added Bud.

"And then he took her upstairs for the night," giggled Harriett.

"And I think that's enough detail, thank you very much!" said Mac, totally embarrassed now; her CO was almost gaping at her.

"Oh, but you have to tell him about the note, Ma'am!" gushed Harriett.

"Note?" queried AJ, knowing exactly what note Harriett meant.

"He left me a note the next morning.  He wrote down one of the sonnets for me, that's all.  No big deal," said Mac unconvincingly.

"Sounds like it was a very big deal, Mac," AJ said quietly.

She grinned.  "Oh yes, Sir.  He was very big, indeed," she said dreamily.  Bud and Harriett gasped, bringing Mac back to her senses.  She looked around at the expressions on everyone's faces.  "What?  What did I say" she challenged.

"You were, I believe, referring to his size, Colonel," grinned AJ.  "Seems he was rather large, and uh, you seemed to appreciate that," he chuckled.

Mac's eyes grew wide as the Admiral spoke.  "Oh God," she blushed furiously.

"So you enjoyed your weekend with him, I take it?" AJ asked.

"Just the one night, Sir.  We only spent the one night together."

"But you'll be seeing him, again, of course?" AJ asked, to which the others chuckled.

"No, Sir."

"No?  Why not, Mac?  Sounds like you enjoyed the night..."

"Oh, immensely, Sir."

"Then... why?" he asked, as if he didn't know.

"We don't know each other, Sir."

"You don't know...  Sounds to me like you got to know each other pretty well that night, Mac," he chuckled.

"Yes, Sir.  I mean, no, Sir.  I mean... Sir, it was a masked ball.  Neither of us removed our masks, so I don't know who he was.  And we both disguised our voices, so I'm sure I'd never recognize him, and I doubt that he'd recognize me."

"Why on earth would you do that, Colonel?" AJ asked, seeming incredulous.

"Apparently that's what he does every year, Sir," Mac defended herself.

"So you don't know who he is?  And he doesn't know who you are?" clarified the Admiral.  Mac nodded.  "Then you actually might know each other... and just not know that you do."

Mac looked curiously at him.  "I suppose that's possible, Sir.  In fact, he slipped and didn't use his disguised voice one time, and I thought I should know who he was.  I never could quite place it, and he never slipped, again."  She shrugged her shoulders.

Harm grinned, "I'll bet we can all guess when he slipped out of character, Mac."  Mac blushed, again.

"Commander!" exclaimed Harriett, seeing her friend's color rising.

'Oh my God.  It really was Mac.  God, she was amazing.  Incredible.  Now what do I do?'

Saturday, 9 February 2002
0935 EST
The Garden Path Florist
McLean, Virginia

AJ walked in the florist shop and looked around at the many beautiful arrangements.  He had arrived just as the shop was opening, hoping that no one else would be there.  So far, his luck was holding.  

"May I help you, Sir?" asked a teenaged girl dressed jeans, t-shirt, and an apron.

"Yes, thank you.  I'd like to order some flowers for Valentine's Day," AJ said. 

"What would you like?  Roses?  Carnations?  Orchids?" the girl asked.

"Roses, please.  White roses."

"White, Sir?  For Valentine's Day?"

"That's right.  Two dozen white in a crystal vase with a red ribbon.  Do you have Waterford vases?"

"Waterford?"

"Never mind.  I'll have the vase delivered to you on Monday."

"We have a very nice selection of vases, Sir," the girl offered.

"That's quite all right, Miss.  I have something special in mind.  I'll have it delivered on Monday," he repeated.

"Okay."  She walked around behind the counter and took out her pencil and pad.  "So you want two dozen white roses, and you want a red ribbon, and you'll provide the vase," she said as she wrote the order.  "That'll be $107.36, Sir.  How would you like to pay for this?"

"Cash," he replied, drawing out his billfold and handing her six crisp $20 bills.  He reached in his pocket and pulled out a handful of change and counted 36 cents.

"The cards are right there," the girl pointed, "if you want to go ahead and write your greeting."

AJ pulled an envelope from his pocket.  "All ready have that."  He handed the girl the envelope as she handed him his change.

"And you'd like this delivered on Valentine's Day, Sir?" the girl asked.

"That's right.  Before 11, please."

Thursday, 14 February 2002
1015 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

The florist walked into the bullpen carrying an enormous vase filled with white roses.  "I have flowers here for Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie?"

"She's in a meeting right now," said Harriett.  "I'll take them for her.  Ooo, aren't they just lovely?"  The florist set the vase on Harriett's desk.  "Oh my!  That's a Waterford vase!" she exclaimed.  

"Waterford?" Lauren Singer queried as she walked past and heard Harriett.  "Harriett, what lovely flowers.  And a Waterford vase?  My, my.  I had no idea Bud had any taste."

Harriett looked sharply at Lauren.  "They're not from Bud."

"Ooh?" Lauren said.  "You're getting white roses from someone else?  Do tell!"

"They aren't for me, Lauren.  They're for the Colonel."

"What's for me?" asked Mac.  Bud, Harm, AJ, and Mac had finished their meeting and were just exiting  the Admiral's office.  "Oooo, beautiful flowers!  Well done, Bud!" she smiled.

Bud shook his head.  "But I didn't send you flowers, Honey," Bud said to Harriett.  "You said you'd rather go out for dinner, so I didn't..."

"It's okay, Bud.  They're not mine.  They're for the Colonel," Harriett said, smiling at her friend.  "Aren't they beautiful, Ma'am?"

"They're for me?" Mac asked.  "Are you sure?"  She walked over to Harriett's desk and looked at the name written on the envelope.  "Who would be sending me roses?"

AJ watched her as she fingered the blooms gently.  'She likes the flowers, but she hasn't noticed the vase yet.'

Mac opened the envelope and slipped the card out.  She blushed almost immediately and said, "I think I'll just take these to my office and read the card there."  

"Ah, Mac!"  "Come on, Colonel."  Harm and Bud urged her to stay.

Mac lifted the vase of flowers, ignoring the men, and exclaimed, "Wow, this is a heavy vase."  She looked closer at it.  "Oh my God!" she breathed.  "It's Waterford crystal."  She looked down at Harriett, who nodded at her.  Mac set the vase back on Harriett's desk and turned it around slowly, admiring the crystal.  "It's gorgeous.  Look at this, Harriett.  Look at the design.  Look at the detail.  It's magnificent," she cooed.  "And the flowers are exceptional, too."

AJ smiled to himself.  'She likes the vase.  And the flowers.  Now the card?'

"What does the card say, Mac?" asked Harm.  He didn't like the idea of this Shakespeare fellow contacting Mac.  She was his property, even if he hadn't done anything about it.

"None of your business, Flyboy," she quipped, hugging the card to her breast.  

"Colonel, I don't believe you've even read it yet.  Do you even know who these are from?" asked AJ.  

"Yes, Sir, I know who they're from.  I can tell by the way the card is addressed," she replied.

"And how is that, Ma'am? asked Bud.

"Ma'am, are these from Shakespeare?" asked Harriett in almost a whisper.

Mac smiled and nodded.  "Mmm hmm."

"Oh my God!  Then he knows who you are!" Harriett squealed in delight.

Mac's smile grew wider and she nodded, again.  "Mmm hmm."

"Mac, you do realize this could be dangerous, right?" asked Harm.  "I mean, you don't know who this guy is.  He could be some pervert.  Or a maniac.  Or a crazed killer."

Mac laughed.  "Harm, he is not a pervert or a maniac.  And if he was a crazed killer, why didn't he kill me that night?  Don't be ridiculous.  He's a very romantic, sensitive, man.  And he's incredibly sexy," she said still holding the card tightly in her grasp.

"You don't even know how old he is, Mac.  He could be 18 for all you know!"

"Harm, I don't think there were any 18-year olds at the Mask," said Sturgis, who had walked into the bullpen and heard the last part of the conversation.  

"I'd have to agree with Commander Turner on that, Harm," said the Admiral.

"Still, he could be a lot younger than you," insisted Harm.

"He's not," Mac said.  "And stop acting so jealous, Harm."

"What do you mean, 'he's not'?  How do you know?  And I'm not jealous."

"Harm, he's at least as old as I am, probably older.  Probably in his 40s or 50s."

"And you know this how?" asked Harm.

"His hair, Harm.  He had salt & pepper hair."

"I thought he didn't remove his mask?  It covered his head, too, Ma'am," reminded Bud.

Mac smiled.  "Most men have hair other places than just their heads, Bud."

"Some only have it other places than their heads, Colonel!" AJ said, rubbing his hand over the top of his bald head which brought a round of light laughter from all of them.

Bud flushed slightly.  "Oh, you mean...?"

"His chest, Bud.  I mean his chest," laughed Mac.  "What do white roses mean?  Does anyone know?"

"White roses usually mean innocence and purity, Mac," replied Sturgis.

"But they can also mean a secret love, Ma'am," offered Harriett.  "You still haven't read the card," she reminded her.

Mac looked at the card and read it silently.  A smile started at the corners of her mouth and spread quickly to cover her face and crinkle her eyes.  "Mmmm," she moaned softly.  "He's so romantic."

"Did he sign it?" asked Harm.  Mac didn't answer; she just looked up dreamily.  "Well?  Who is he?" Harm pressed.

"Brutus, silly."

"Ma-ac!" 

Mac looked at the card, again, and read, 

"For my beautiful Portia, who looks as clear as morning roses newly washed with dew."

Harriett and Lauren sighed.  Bud and Sturgis smiled.  Harm groaned.

"The Taming of the Shrew," offered AJ.

Mac jerked her head up to look at the Admiral.  "What?!" she exclaimed.  "Um... Sir," she added.

AJ grinned.  "That text is from the Taming of the Shrew, Mac.  Act 2, Scene 1, if I'm not mistaken.  Petruchio is talking about Katharina."

"It is a compliment, though, isn't it, Sir?" asked Mac.  She wasn't all that familiar with Shakespeare's plays.  Only a few of them.

AJ smiled at Mac.  "I'm sure it was meant as a compliment, Mac."  She smiled and nodded, turning back to her flowers.

A while later, Mac called the florist, hoping to get some information about the man who sent the flowers.  What she found out, though, was that the school girl who worked on Saturdays took the cash order and didn't find out the man's name.  And the girl had no recollection of what he looked like.  She thought he might have black hair, or maybe it was blonde, and he wore glasses, or maybe not...  Not a lot of help to Mac.

Friday, 15 March 2002
1755 EST
McMurphy's Tavern
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac got out of her 'Vette in the tavern's parking lot.  She had pulled her car into the space next to the Admiral's vehicle, not realizing that he had also just arrived.  They had both worked a little later than usual on a Friday evening, and they found themselves leaving at the same time.  

"I didn't realize you were coming here tonight, Sir," Mac said.

"Didn't think I would, Colonel.  Changed my mind as I pulled out of the parking lot at the office."

Neither of them had been in especially good moods for the last few weeks.  Everyone attributed Mac's bad mood to the fact that she hadn't heard anything more from her Shakespearean lover since the flowers on Valentine's Day.  And they just assumed that the SecNav was breathing down the Admiral's neck, again, which usually accounted for his foul temper.

"Plans for the weekend?" AJ asked Mac as they walked through the parking lot toward the entrance to the tavern.

"No, Sir.  Not really.  I thought I'd take a drive up into the country.  I rather feel the need to get away for a while.  But I'm not sure where I'd go, so I probably won't go anywhere."

AJ nodded.  "I know what you mean, Mac.  I've felt a bit anxious myself the last few weeks."

"Would you want to go with me, Sir?  We could..." Mac stopped and looked up at her CO.  "I'm sorry, Sir.  I... I didn't mean anything... I..."

"Thank you, Mac.  It's nice to know that every once in a while someone thinks of me as a human being instead of just an Admiral and a CO."

Mac smiled.  "You're a very nice human being, Sir.  I wish sometimes we could be more than..." she hesitated.  "I mean, I wish we could..."

"Be friends?" he supplied hoarsely.

Mac looked up into his eyes.  "More than friends," she whispered.

AJ looked back deeply into her eyes.  "As do I."  Then he took her by the elbow and said, "Shall we join the others?"

"Actually, Sir, I think I'd prefer to just go home this evening," Mac said sadly.

"Are you sure, Mac?"

She nodded.  "Yes, Sir.  I'm sure.  I keep hoping Brutus will call.  He knows who I am, but I don't know who he is.  So I can't take the next step.  I have to wait for him.  It's been a month.  I'm beginning to think I'll never hear from him, again."

"I understand, Colonel.  I'll see you on Monday, then."  AJ watched as Mac returned to her vehicle and drive away.  He waved to her as she passed him on the sidewalk.  

Sunday, 17 March 2002
0635 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

"All right!  All right!" Mac said.  "I'm almost ready, Jingo.  Take a chill pill."  Mac pulled her coat on and grabbed Jingo's leash.  She hooked it on his collar and opened the front door.  "Oh my God!" she cried as she saw the hallway in front of her apartment.  It was strewn with clover leaves and there were two small shamrock plants on either side of her door.  Mac looked around and didn't see anyone.  

She turned back to her door and saw a large green envelope stuck under her nameplate.  She pulled it off and opened it.  It was a very sexy card with a scantily clad leprechaun on the front.  When Mac opened it, she gasped and blushed right there in the hallway by herself.  "My God!  I didn't know they even made cards like this!"  She read the sentiment.

"For my own Portia,
Suffer love!  A good epithet!  I do suffer love indeed, for I love thee against my will." 

"Oh, Brutus.  When will I ever know who you are?"

Monday, 18 March 2002
0900 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

The officers sat around the conference room table, waiting once, again, for the Admiral to arrive and begin the staff meeting.

"Colonel, where did you find the shamrock plant you brought in this morning?  I looked everywhere for them last week and couldn't find any," said Bud.  "Harriett really likes shamrocks, and I wanted to give her one."

Harriett reached next to her and took her husband's hand.  "Bud, I told you, it's okay.  Just knowing that you tried so hard to find one for me is present enough."

"Is that what that little plant is, Mac?  A shamrock?  I didn't know you celebrated St. Patrick's Day," quipped Harm.

No one noticed the Admiral standing in the doorway listening to their conversation.  Mac replied, "I don't."

"But you bought a shamrock?" queried Lauren.

"It was given to me," said Mac.

"Given?  Someone gave you a shamrock plant?  I'll bet it was your Shakespeare guy, wasn't it?" teased Harm.  "He broke the bank on that vase at Valentine's Day, so now all he could afford was a cheap little plant."

AJ chose that moment to make his presence known.  "Actually, Commander," he motioned for them all to keep their seats, "the shamrock plant is supposed to bring good luck to those who receive it.  Someone gave you a shamrock, Colonel?"

Mac smiled, "Yes, Sir.  Two of them, in fact."

"Two?  Double the luck, then," smiled AJ.  "And had he strewn clover for you, well..." his voice trailed off.

"What, Admiral?  What would that mean?" Mac asked expectantly.

"Really?  Clover, too?" Sturgis asked.  

She nodded, lowering her eyes slightly.  "All along the hallway outside my front door.  The two shamrock plants were on either side of the doorway," she admitted shyly.

"Sounds like this guy means business, Mac," said Sturgis.  "If I remember correctly, the clover strewn that way means he was warding off any serpents... any rivals, if you will... wanting to keep you for himself."

"How romantic," cooed Harriett.  "Was there a card?  What did it say?"

"How would you know that, Sturgis?" asked Harm.

"You ought to know it too, Buddy," Sturgis said.  "We learned it in botany class at the Academy."

"Exactly where I learned it, too, gentlemen," agreed the Admiral.

"So, it sounds like your Shakespeare character is a Naval officer, Mac," said Harm.  

"A squid?  Oh well..." she teased, successfully avoiding answering Harriett's question about the card.

"And he knows where you live, Mac.  You need to be careful."

"Are you saying I can't trust a Naval officer, Harm?" she teased.

He blustered around a bit before the Admiral began the meeting.

Sunday, 31 March 2002
0945 EST
The National Cathedral
Washington, DC

AJ paced back and forth in the vestibule of the massive church fellowship hall, trying to decide whether to pick up the phone.  "Just do it!"  He reached for the receiver, dropped the coin in the slot, and dialed Mac's number.  He waited for her to answer.  But she didn't answer.  Her machine did.  'Damn!' he thought.

"You've reached the residence of Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie.  Please leave a message," he heard over the line.

"My fairest Portia," he began quietly in his 'Shakespeare voice', "If drawing my sword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and ransom him to any courtier for a new-devised courtesy.  I think scorn to sigh:  methinks I should outswear Cupid.  Comfort me; what great men have been in love? If thou willst, I shall see thee of late."

AJ hung up the phone and went back upstairs.  As he was about to enter the sanctuary for the Easter service, he heard voices he recognized.  He turned to see Mac entering the Church , her arm threaded through Harm's elbow. Bud, Harriett, and little AJ followed them, along with Sturgis and Bobbi.  Even Lauren Singer was there.  "Well, good morning," AJ said to his officers.

They looked up at him in surprise.  "Admiral!"  "Sir, what a surprise!" they said awkwardly.  

"Did I miss the memo about attending Easter service together?" he joked, knowing they were already uncomfortable.

"No, Sir!"  "Certainly not, Admiral."

"Not a problem.  It's time to go in," he said brusquely.  'Looks like Mac is giving in to Harm's persistence.  I wish those two would decide what they want.'

Lauren literally glowed.  "Why thank you, Sir!"  She took his arm and they walked in ahead of the others, her head held high. She was on the arm of a 2-star Admiral, after all.  

AJ found an empty pew, and he and Lauren walked to the end, the others following them.  When AJ sat down, he found that Mac was sitting on his other side. "Admiral, I thought you were going to visit your sister this weekend?" Mac whispered to him.  

He nodded.  "I was.  Changed my mind."  He noticed Harm reach over and pick up Mac's hand.  "Wish I hadn't now," he added.  

"Why is that, Sir?" she asked.  

"Not important, Colonel."  

"I'm sorry, Sir.  I didn't mean to pry," Mac whispered as she pulled her hand back from Harm.  She turned to Harm, "Harm, that's not appropriate in here.  Stop it," she whispered.  When she turned back to talk to the Admiral, again, he was talking with Lauren.  

About mid-way through the service, little AJ was giving his parents a fit.  The Admiral leaned forward and motioned for Harriett to send her young son to him.  Little AJ scrambled across laps until he reached his namesake.  "Adm'l!" he chirped happily.  

AJ hugged the boy to him.  "You have to sit quietly if you're going to sit with me," he told him.  Little AJ nodded and was perfectly silent... until AJ heard a small sound.  He looked down and smiled, finding little AJ sound asleep in his arms and snoring softly.  

When the service was over, they all filed out of the Church, AJ, once again, offering his arm to Lauren.  On the steps, Admiral Boone approached AJ.  "What did you do, AJ, issue an order for your officers to attend Easter service together?" he joked.  

"Excuse me, Lauren," AJ said as he stepped aside to talk to Boone.  "Actually, Tom, I was surprised to see them all show up together.  Seems they made plans to all attend this morning and I crashed the party," he chuckled.  

"You mean they didn't invite you along?" asked Tom.  AJ shook his head.  "Then you don't have plans for the afternoon?"    

AJ shook his head, again.  'I did.  I'd hoped to call Mac, again.  Even suggest that we see each other.  Brutus and Portia.  Masks in place, well, at least mine.  But not now.  Not with Rabb back in the picture.'  

"How about you come over to my place and we'll grill some steaks outside?" offered Tom. 

"Sounds great, Tom," AJ agreed. "I'll go home and change and be there by 1300."  AJ passed his officers who were still standing on the steps talking.  "See you all tomorrow morning, bright and early," he said as he walked down the stairs.  

"Admiral!  Won't you join us for lunch, Sir?  Everyone's coming to..." Harriett began.

"Already have other plans, Lieutenant.  Have a nice day."  He didn't even look back as he left.  He did, however, change his mind as he rounded the bottom step.  He stopped, and as he turned to go back up, he heard Harriett.  

"His feelings are hurt," Harriett said.  

Harm laughed.  "Harriett, the Admiral doesn't get his feelings hurt because..."  

"Because he doesn't have any!" quipped Mac.  

That's all he heard.  He turned and walked away.

"That's what you were going to say, isn't it?" demanded Mac.  

"Mac, that's not what I meant, and you know it," said Harm.  

"Harm, sometimes you are the most uncaring, unfeeling person I know!  And other times you are so sensitive.  What is it with you, anyway?" Mac asked.  

"Mac, I didn't mean it that way.  You know I didn't.  The Admiral is a friend to all of us; why would I say he doesn't have any feelings?"  

"You've said a lot of things lately, Harm, that have been really ugly.  Things to me and about me.  Things about the Admiral.  And about Brutus.  And I'm tired of it."  

"Oh, so that's what this is about..." started Harm.  

"Oh, just forget it!" yelled Mac, running down the stairs of the Church and down the sidewalk.  She was still running as she passed AJ. He saw her pass and turned around, expecting to find Harm right behind her.  He was nowhere in sight.  AJ stepped up his pace to catch Mac.  She had slowed to a walk by now, so he caught up with her quickly.  

"Colonel?" he touched her arm. Mac stopped and jerked her arm away.  

"What?" she yelled.  "Oh!  Admiral.  I'm sorry, Sir.  I thought you'd be Harm."  She looked past AJ and didn't see Harm.  "He's such a jerk sometimes," she said.  

"Care to tell me what happened?" AJ asked carefully.  

"He was just being rude, again, is all, Sir.  I just couldn't handle his flyboy ego any longer, so I left."  Mac twisted her hands into fists.  "I'm sorry, Admiral.  I don't want to keep you from your plans.  I'm fine, Sir.  Thank you for caring," she said softly.  

"I care very much about my officers, Colonel," AJ said louder than necessary as several fellow Flag officers passed them.  "Now, do you need a ride home?  My vehicle is just on the next street.  Or I can hail a taxi for you.  Your preference."  

"Thank you, Admiral.  A cab will be fine," Mac said sadly.  

AJ nodded.  "As you wish."  He hailed a cab and Mac climbed in.  AJ reached his vehicle and sat there for some time.  

He finally headed for home and called to cancel lunch with Tom.  He was in no mood to visit with anyone.  "I need to get away.  I can't have her.  And she doesn't want me, anyway.  Wouldn't even let me drive her home.  Doesn't think I have any feelings, though… that was a surprise. Damn.  I have to be away from her for a while; get her out of my system." Thus decided, AJ picked up the phone and called Mac's apartment, again.  Then he called the SecNav at home.

Sunday, 31 March 2002
1515 EST
Alexander Nelson's Residence
Wyngate, Virginia

"I'd like to take some leave, Mr. Secretary.  Beginning tomorrow for 30 days."  

"Leave?  You want to take leave?  Damn, AJ, who is she?" Nelson chuckled.  

"Actually, Sir, it is because of a woman.  But I need the leave to..." he exhaled heavily.  "To get past her."  

"Get past her?  What do you mean?" Nelson asked.  

"The Masked Ball this year, Mr. Secretary," AJ hinted.  

"Ah!  Yes, I heard that this year's conquest was quite a beauty.  Never did hear a name, though.  Do you know who she is?"  AJ nodded.  "Well?  Who is she?"  

"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie," AJ said softly.  

"What!?!" Nelson yelled.  

"I didn't know it at the time, Sir.  I discovered it about a week later," AJ explained.  

"Damn, AJ!  I knew I shouldn't have gone along with this all these years."  

"Mr. Secretary, I really need to get away for a while.  Mac does not know it was me.  Nor do I intend that she ever find it out.  But I do have feelings that I'm having trouble suppressing.  And I need to get away from her long enough to get them under control."  

"You going to be able to control them, AJ?" Nelson asked quietly.  

AJ nodded.  "I have no doubt of that, Mr. Secretary.  I just need to be away from her for a while."  

"Where will you go?"  

"I thought, Hawaii." 

"Your last duty station.  You still know anyone out there?"  

"Yes, quite a few people, in fact."  

"Who'll be in charge here while you're gone?  MacKenzie?"  

"That would be my recommendation, Sir."  

"Fine, fine.  Okay, AJ.  Take your leave.  Let me know if there's going to be a problem.  I can always move her, you know.  No one would have to know why," Nelson offered.  

"Thank you, Mr. Secretary."

Sunday, 31 March 2002
1835 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

She entered the living room and heard her answering machine still beeping.  She pressed Play to hear her messages, and the first one made her drop in the nearest chair and catch her breath.  "Brutus!" she exclaimed.  

The next message was from Harm, apologizing for what happened after the Church service.  The next message was from Harriett, wondering if she was going to come over for dinner.  "I should call her and apologize." Then the next message drove all thoughts from her mind; she fell to the floor and burst into tears.  

"Fair Lady, this is my last.  My eyes beheld you this day, and know I now that you will take little delight in me, I can tell you; there is such odds in the man.  In pity of the challenger's youth I would fain dissuade him, but he will not be entreated.  Speak to him, Lady; see if you can move him.  I will bother you hence no more."

Monday, 1 April 2002
0835 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Tiner knocked on Mac's door frame.  "Excuse me, Colonel.  The Admiral would like to see you right away, Ma'am."

"Okay, Tiner," she said, getting up to follow the young man.

"Are you all right this morning, Ma'am?" he asked.

"Fine, Tiner."

"You don't look well, Ma'am."

"Gee, thanks, Tiner," she said as she reached the Admiral's office.  "You wanted to see me, Sir?"

"Have a seat, Colonel.  As my Chief of Staff, I'm putting you in charge of the office while I'm away."  He got up from his desk and moved to look out the window.  

When he didn't continue, Mac asked, "Away, Sir?"

He nodded.  "Yes, I'm taking some leave time, Colonel.  I'll be gone for the entire month of April."

"The whole month?!" Mac exclaimed, causing AJ to turn back to face her.  "Oh, I'm sorry, Admiral.  It just surprised me.  A month, Sir?  You've never been gone that long before.  Anything special?" she asked.

He shook his head.  "No.  Just need to get away."  He still hadn't looked at Mac.  He couldn't.  He'd barely gotten through his speech on the phone yesterday, and that was just her answering machine.  "That's all, Colonel.  You'll hold the staff meeting as scheduled; I'll address everyone at the beginning and then leave."

"How will I be able to reach you, Sir?"

"You won't, Colonel."

Mac was shocked.  "Admiral, are you all right?  Medically, I mean?  You're not... ill, are you, Sir?"  AJ stared at her.  "Sir, you've seemed so aloof lately..."

"I'm perfectly healthy, Colonel.  I just need a break, that's all.  The SecNav knows how to reach me.  If there's a National emergency, I'm sure he'll call me."

"Aye, Sir."  Mac stood, came to attention stance, and waited.

"Dismissed, Colonel."  

Mac turned and left his office.

After the staff meeting concluded and before she got back to her office, Harriett stopped her.  "Colonel?  I was worried about you yesterday.  I called..."

"I know, Harriett.  I'm sorry.  I intended to call you back, but I didn't.  I... just... couldn't.  I'm sorry."  Mac walked into her office.

Harriett followed.  "Ma'am?"  Mac looked up.  "What happened?  You look like you cried for hours."

"I did, Harriett," she confessed.

"Why?"

"He called me twice yesterday."

"Who?  Brutus?" Harriett clarified.

Mac nodded.  "Yes.  I wasn't home either time; he left messages.  The first time was in the morning, at 0947.  He told me he loved me.  Well, Portia..."

"Oh, Colonel, that's wonderful!" Harriett gushed.

"Then he called, again, in the afternoon.  He'd seen us at the Cathedral.  Evidently he saw me with Harm and... and..." Mac sniffed and couldn't continue.  She turned toward her window.

"Ma'am?" Harriett said softly, coming up behind her.  "What did he say?"

"That he wouldn't be bothering me, again.  That I obviously loved Harm," Mac burst into tears, again.

"Oh, Mac!" Harriett gathered her friend in her arms and comforted her.  "I'm so sorry."

Continue to Part 3