Men in Black - JAG Style (Part 1)

Thursday, 11 July 2002
1645 EDT
Tyson's Galleria
McLean, Virginia

It had been a long, tiring week for Admiral AJ Chegwidden.  But he was finally finished.  He could actually go back to his own office tomorrow.  And dress in his summer white uniform again.  'Thank God!  This black suit is hotter than blazes in this weather,' he thought to himself.  He had spent the better part of the week at a civilian law firm, assisting the senior lawyers in a foreign military case.  The SecNav had ordered it; AJ wasn't happy about it.  He wouldn't have minded so much if he'd been allowed to send one of his people.  But no!  The SecNav insisted that it had to be AJ. And he had to be in civvies.

AJ growled at the stop light.  As though it heard him, the light changed to green.  He pulled his Escalade into the parking lot of the shopping mall, found a spot very close to an entrance, and parked.  As he walked to the mall entrance, he noticed several people look at him and grin.  'What did I do?  Forget to zip my pants?' he wondered.  He casually looked down to be sure.

The Admiral wasn't used to people staring at him... except when he was in his Mess Dress or Dress Whites.  Then women stared.  Ogled is more like it.  He even remembered one woman who drooled all over herself.  AJ grinned as he remembered.  He reached up and removed his black sunglasses as he walked down the mall corridor.  He went directly to the Liljenquist & Beckstead jewelry store.  His daughter's birthday was in two weeks, and he knew exactly what he wanted to send to her.  

When he made his purchase, AJ retraced his steps back through the mall toward the parking lot.  He put his sunglasses back on before he reached the exit.  Then he heard the singing clock in F.A.O. Schwarz.  It reminded him of his young Lieutenant.  Bud Roberts was a fine officer.  A good husband.  A wonderful father.  And he came home with only one leg.  Came home from an assignment that AJ had strongly advised him to take.  It just didn't seem fair.  AJ didn't exactly feel guilty about it, neither did he feel blameless.  He had stopped at the Roberts' house at least once a week since Bud's return to check on him.  Each time, Bud appeared to be in good spirits.  But AJ knew better.  He knew Bud was putting up a front for his commanding officer.  

AJ was going to drop by their house tomorrow, so he decided to see what he could find that might help to cheer Bud a little.  'Bud loves electronic toys.  That robot at Christmas a few years ago... I wonder if I can find something like that.'  

AJ turned around and walked back the few yards to the toy store's entrance.  As he walked inside, he noticed people grinning at him again.  'What is it with these people?' he wondered.  He reached up and removed his sunglasses, folding them, and putting them in his breast pocket.  As he did so, a young boy watched him intently.  AJ saw the child out of the corner of his eye; he turned to face him.  The boy stared, gaping at AJ.  AJ smiled and winked at him.  Then he turned away from the child and began looking for the electronic toys.  

The boy followed AJ with his eyes, never letting him get out of sight.  "Woooow," he said to no one.  But another child heard him.

"What?  What'd you see?" asked another boy.

"He's one of them," the boy said.

"Who is?  Who?"   The first boy pointed at AJ who turned around at just that moment.  He didn't notice the children, but the second child gasped.  "Woooow!  You're right!  He is one of them."

"Come on, let's follow him.  Maybe we'll get to see some real aliens," said the first boy.

"Excuse me," AJ approached a salesgirl.  "I'm looking for the electronic toys."  

"Oh, no problem.  I'll show you," said the girl.  

The girl wound her way through the toy aisles with AJ in tow until she reached the electronic toys.  "Here you go.  Anything in particular you're looking for?" she tried to be helpful.

"I'm looking for something for a grown man.  He likes electronic toys.  Anything with a computer in it, basically," AJ explained.

"Well, there's an electronic dart board, electronic football, and the typical phaser guns and junk like that.  But for a grown man, I'd suggest something more like the personal cooling system or the power scooter."

AJ jerked his head up.  "No!"  The girl jumped at his forceful answer.  AJ realized how loud he'd spoken.  "I'm sorry," he said quieter.  "The young man lost a leg overseas.  A scooter is definitely out of the question."

The girl looked about ready to cry.  "Oh, I'm so sorry.  Is he your son?"

AJ shook his head.  "No.  But as good as."  He cleared his throat and said, "He has a 3-year old son.  Something they can play with together would be ideal.  Do you have any robots?"

"Robots?" she sniffed her tears back.  "Oooh, I don't think we have any in right now.  We usually only carry those around Christmas.  But let me run check; we may have one in the back."  She disappeared around the corner leaving AJ to browse.

AJ chuckled when he saw the display of enormous guns.  He picked one up and held it.  He heard several small gasps behind him.  As he turned around, he saw the same boy as was at the entrance, staring at him.  Only now he had several other children with him.  And they were all staring at him.  "I told you so!" said the first boy.

"Woooow."  "You're right."  "Wonder if he's gonna use that?"  "Never thought I'd really see one of them."  "You think he'll zap us so we won't remember?" "That's his Ball gun!"  "No, I think it's a Wacky gun."  "Ball."  "Wacky," the children rattled on top of each other.

AJ had no idea what they were running on about.  Just as he was going to turn back around and set the huge gun down, he saw a teenage boy slip something in his shorts pocket, obviously preparing to steal it.  AJ bellowed, "Your pocket isn't a very good shopping cart, you know."

The teenager turned around, prepared to give a belligerent answer.  But when he saw AJ dressed in black, holding the gun in his hands, and the sunglasses peaking out of his breast pocket, he changed his mind.  "No problem, man.  I was just checking to be sure it would fit in my pocket.  You know, if it's too big, I wouldn't want it," he lied.

AJ looked the boy over.  'How could anyone do that to their body on purpose?  He must have 25 holes in each of his ears.  And then his eyebrows, his nose, and even his tongue!  No telling where else.  Disgusting.'  AJ replied, "Do I look like a fool to you, boy?"  He didn't consciously do it, but he bounced the gun in his hands, bringing a look of fear on the boy's face. 

"No, Sir.  No fool.  Definitely not a fool."  'That's just a toy gun.  I just saw them,' he said to himself.  'Are you sure about that?' asked a little voice in his head.  'Are you sure he's not what he looks like?'  'That's not real... it's a movie.'  'Yeah, but what if it is real?'

AJ said, "Good, good.  So put it back on the shelf."  The boy obeyed.  "Now I'd suggest you leave.  Unless of course, you want to pay for the next thing you pick up."  

The boy shook his head.  "I'm outta here," and he turned and fled.

The children stood mesmerized until AJ bounced the gun in his hands again and looked down at them.  They suddenly scampered away in every direction.  AJ chuckled and set the gun back on the shelf just as the salesgirl returned carrying a large box.  "I found one!" she said happily.

AJ took the robot out of the box and made sure it was what he wanted for Bud.  He nodded, "Yes, this will do nicely."  They made their way to the checkout, and AJ paid for the robot.  "Can you wrap this?" he asked the cashier.

"Yes, of course.  It'll take about 15 minutes."

"That's fine."  AJ turned around and saw the same boy just around the corner.  He had a small army of other children with him this time.  And they were all staring.  AJ walked around the corner and came up behind them.  "Care to tell me why you keep staring at me?" he said gruffly.

A collective gasp went up from all the children in the group.  They turned around to face him.  AJ was staring down at the first boy.  "You've been following me around this store since I came in here.  What's so interesting about me?"

The boy's voice went up about an octave as he said, "I'm not an alien.  Honest, I'm not.  I'm human.  Like you.  And you don't have to zap me; I won't say a word!"  He looked around and watched his army of new friends running like scared rabbits.

"An alien?" AJ repeated.  "Zap you?  What the h... heck are you talking about?" he caught himself just in time.

"Alan!  There you are!  I've been looking all over this store for you!  Where have you been?"

AJ looked up to see a lovely woman calling to the boy.  'Hmm, probably 35, no more than 40, about 140 pounds, and stacked.  Mmmm, nice... shoulder-length brunette hair with gorgeous brown eyes.  And those dimples!'

"Mom!" the boy cried, seeing AJ looking at his mother.  "Stay back!"

"What?" she said.  "Why?"

"Don't come any closer, Mom!  He might zap you!  He's looking at you funny!"

"Zap me?" the woman said.

AJ realized he was, indeed, staring at the woman, so he turned his attention back to the boy.  "Now look..."

"Alan, are you bothering this man?" she interrupted, moving forward to her son.

"No, Mom!  Stay back!" he insisted.

"I will not stay back.  What's wrong with you?"

"Mom, he's one of them!"

"One of who?" AJ and the mother asked at the same time.

"Men in Black!"

AJ was still clueless.  'Men in black?'

Whereas the mother smiled indulgently.  "Oooh.  Yes, you're right.  He might just be.  Maybe we should ask him."

"No, Mom!"

"Alan, the Men in Black are the good guys, remember?"

"Yea, but if you know who they are, they'll zap you!" Alan reminded his mother.

"But since we didn't see him do anything, I think we're safe."

"But I did, Mom.  I did!"

"You did what, Alan?" she asked.

"I saw him chase an alien out of the store!"

"An alien?" 

"Yeah!  He was dressed like a teenager, but he was an alien, all right.  He had rings all over his ears and his face.  And he had big things in his mouth.  I was afraid he was going to spew all over the place!" Alan explained.  AJ tried not to laugh.  He looked at the boy's mother, whom, it was obvious, was also trying not to laugh.  "But he didn't.  The Man in Black scared him away with his Wacky Gun."

"I don't see a gun, Alan."

"That's because you only see it when he needs it," Alan explained patiently.

Just then the salesgirl walked up to AJ.  "Here's your package, Sir."

AJ took the large box from her.  "Thank you."

"That's his gun, Mom," Alan whispered.

AJ turned back to the boy.  "No, actually, Alan, it's not my gun.  It's a present for a friend of mine."

"Are you gonna zap us?" Alan dared, looking straight into AJ's eyes.

AJ shook his head.  "Not this time."

Alan ventured a small smile.  "Really?  Gee, thanks!"

AJ nodded his head in acknowledgement.  Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out his sunglasses.  He was putting them on as he heard the mother stifle a laugh.  He looked up.  "Something funny?"

"No," she answered quickly.  "Not a thing, Agent Zee."

AJ looked at her strangely, then turned and left the mall.  Every person he passed seemed to grin at him.  "What the hell is going on?" he muttered as he reached his vehicle.  As he climbed in, his cell phone rang.  "Chegwidden!" he barked.

"Colonel MacKenzie here, Sir.  We have a situation.  Are you able to come to the office?"

"On my way, Colonel," AJ said as he started the SUV and pulled out of his parking place.

Thursday, 11 July 2002
1805 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ noticed the looks he received from the Marine guards as he walked through the building.  'Should have called them on it... but I'm not in uniform, so I guess I'll let it slide.  This time.' 

He exited the elevator and walked into the JAG Ops bullpen.  Commander Harmon Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie looked up at the man in black.  "Admiral?" Rabb said incredulously.

"What's the situation?" AJ was down to business instantly.  He moved into his office and the two officers followed.

Mac briefed the Admiral on the situation, and the three of them discussed a plan of action.

"Admiral, I really don't think Ms. Alexander is going to be a problem.  She sounded very nice on the phone," said Harm.  

"Harm, just because she sounded nice on the phone doesn't mean..." Mac started to argue.

"I know that, Mac," Harm interrupted.  "But I do think she's willing to cooperate..."

"Well, no matter what you think, Commander, I want this case handled with kid gloves," said AJ.  "She's the widow of a Medal of Honor recipient.  She deserves anything we can do for her.  I do not want her husband's name dragged through the mud."  He turned to the Colonel.  "Mac, I want you to ensure that the press doesn't get wind of this.  I don't want this turning into a dog and pony show."

"Aye, Sir."

When they finished their planning, the three officers walked out of the building together.  AJ reached into his pocket and pulled out his sunglasses.  He set them on his face and noticed that both Harm and Mac grinned.  Harm made a comment, "So, you're kind of into the movie, eh, Sir?"

"What movie?" AJ snapped.  He was really getting tired of being stared at this afternoon.

"You really do look like one of them," said Mac.

"One of who?" AJ asked impatiently.

"I take it you've never seen the movie?"

"I don't get to the movies very often.  What movie?"

"'Men in Black'... and now 'Men in Black II' is out."

"And..." AJ prompted.

"And you're dressed just like them.  And the sunglasses are perfect!"  Neither Harm nor Mac could help their laughter now.  

AJ just shook his head, climbed in his vehicle, and drove home.

Friday, 12 July 2002
1000 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Admiral Chegwidden arrived at the office early.  He had a lot to catch up on, having been on an offsite assignment for the entire week.  He hadn't emerged from his office since his arrival at 0630.  His Yeoman, Petty Officer Tiner, kept his mug full of hot coffee and brought him a couple of donuts.  He was almost finished going through his hardcopy mail when Tiner buzzed him.

"What, Tiner?" he barked into the intercom.

"Excuse me, Admiral, but Colonel MacKenzie and Commander Rabb are here for their 1000 appointment."

"I don't remember a 1000 appointment."

"Well, Sir, it was only scheduled this morning.  Ms. Alexander is with them.  They'd like you..."

AJ interrupted.  "Send them in, Tiner."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

Tiner opened the Admiral's office door.  Mac walked in first, followed by Ms. Alexander, and then Harm.  AJ rose from his seat as they entered and smiled broadly at Ms. Alexander.  'Well I'll be damned.'

Mac spoke first, "Good morning, Admiral.  May I introduce Ms. Brenda Alexander.  Ms. Alexander, this is Admiral AJ Chegwidden."

"It's Mrs. if you don't mind.  But I'd prefer Brenda anyway," she spoke to Mac.  Then she turned her attention to the Admiral.  "Good morning, Ad... miral...  Do I know you, Sir?" she hesitated.

"I believe you know me as Agent Zee," AJ replied evenly.  "I look a bit different in all white than in all black, I suppose."

Brenda gasped.  "Oh my God!  It's you!" she laughed.  "Oh no...  I can't believe it!"  AJ laughed with her, leaving Harm and Mac to wonder.  "I'm so sorry about all that, Admiral."

AJ shook his head and held up his hand.  "No; no need for that."  He nodded at his officers, "My people told me last night about the movie."

"You really haven't seen it?  Not even the first one?"

"Nope.  I don't get to movies much," AJ replied.  "So, your son thinks I'm a character in the movie, I take it."

"I'm afraid so.  Alan is still young enough to believe that movie characters are real."

"And of course, you helped matters by calling me Agent Zee."  

She laughed, "Yes, and as soon as you left, Alan wanted to know how I knew which one you were!"

"I guess I'll have to make a point of seeing the movie so I know why you chose that character for me."

"Oh, Agent Zee wasn't in the movie.  There was... let me see... Agent Kay and Agent Jay.  And an Agent Tee, I believe.  So I just picked another letter of the alphabet!"  They laughed together until she continued, "It's only because of the way you were dressed, you understand.  All in black.  With the black sunglasses.  And the movie just came out last week.  Alan's seen it twice already.  And now after meeting you, he wants to see it again!  And I'm sure he'll convince one of his uncles to take him this weekend.  He has them all wrapped around his little finger," she sighed.  "Ever since his father died..." her voice trailed off.  

AJ came around to the front of his desk and took her by the elbow to guide her to one of the big leather chairs by the fireplace.  Even when there wasn't a fire blazing, that was his favorite spot in his office.  "Please, why don't we sit down?" he said gently.  He glanced back to Harm and Mac and motioned them to take seats, as well.  "Your husband was..."

Brenda interrupted him.  "I know what my husband was.  And he wasn't what this young whippersnapper is calling him."

AJ grinned.  'Young whippersnapper?  Haven't heard that phrase in a good while.'  "Mrs. Alexander..."

"Brenda.  Please," she interrupted again.

AJ started over.  "Brenda.  This office investigates and prosecutes military crimes.  That's what we're here for.  Any charges filed through this office have to be investigated."  AJ watched Brenda straighten her back like a board.  "That's not to say that all charges are valid.  My officers are well trained; they know how to find the truth.  And that's exactly what we're going to do.  Find the truth."

"I already know the truth," she snapped.

AJ nodded.  "I'm sure you do.  But we have to prove it... prove that your husband was innocent of the charges.  Or guilty, as the case..."

"He didn't do what..."

"Brenda," AJ said softly.  "I've assigned my best officers to this case.  Let them do their jobs.  Answer their questions.  Let them go through your husband's belongings if they ask to.  Cooperate with them."  She looked at him belligerently.  "Will you do that?" he asked gently. "Will you help us clear his name?"

Brenda was fighting tears.  She didn't want anyone going through Ben's things.  She had finally sorted through everything only two months ago and given a lot to the Vietnam Veterans Association.  "There isn't much left.  I gave most of his things away.  The things that Alan wouldn't want later in life, anyway."  She bit her lip.  "All right.  I'll allow it.  I'll answer your questions.  I just want his name cleared of these charges."

AJ smiled warmly at her.  "Good."  He turned to his officers.  "You two go ahead and get started.  I'll bring Mrs. Alexander to you in a few minutes."

Harm and Mac were surprised, but they didn't show it.  They rose from their seats, came to attention stance, and left.

AJ turned back to Brenda.  "You okay?" he asked, handing her his handkerchief.

She took it and smiled.  "Thank you."  She dabbed her eyes and wiped her nose.  "I'm sorry about this," she said.

"No need to be sorry.  You're having to go through something right now that shouldn't..." he stopped.  He was, after all, the JAG.  He couldn't voice his opinion.  Not now.  Not yet.  "Brenda, I know this is a difficult time for you..."

She looked up and smiled.  "Yes, it is.  But you've made it a bit easier.  I think it helped, our meeting yesterday.  You don't seem so threatening as I thought you would.  I was really dreading coming in here today."

"I'm glad you did come, though."

"So am I," she replied quickly.  Then she smiled.  "Thank you for being so kind, Admiral."

"It's AJ.  Please."

"Is that appropriate?  With the case and all?"

"We met before I knew about the case," he told her, stretching the truth just slightly.  They hadn't actually met.  They'd spoken.

"Yes, we did, didn't we?" she agreed.  "Wait until I tell Alan who you really are.  He won't believe me.  Of course, he'll be scared to death all over again because you're a 2-star Admiral!"

"Why don't you bring him in with you next time?  Then he can see for himself that I don't usually wear black... and that I'm not all that scary," AJ chuckled.

Brenda looked at him for a few moments without responding.  "You're amazing, you know that?" she said in awe.

AJ shook his head.  "I'm just a man, Brenda."

"Oh no," she breathed.  "Far more than 'just a man'."  Then she giggled and said, "You're Agent Zee!  A defender of the Earth!" 

Activity in the bullpen stopped as the two of them laughed together, AJ escorting Brenda to Mac's office.  

Friday, 12 July 2002
1835 EDT
Old Dominion Drive
McLean, Virginia

AJ was on his way to the Roberts' home.  He was pleased with the robot; he was sure it would help to cheer Bud a little.  'Well, little AJ will like it, anyhow,' he reasoned.  The traffic suddenly stopped and moved at a snail's pace.  "Oh great.  Now what?"  As he inched his way forward, he could see a car with the hood up.  As he got closer, he saw the little red Grand Am.  It was obvious that it was a woman who needed help.  No police cars were around, so AJ decided to pull over and see if he could help.

He climbed out of his vehicle and walked up to the car, tapping on the window.  The woman turned and looked at him and they both smiled.  Brenda rolled down her window.  "I don't believe it!"

"Neither do I.  Talk about having good luck..."

"Good luck?  My car quit.  How is that good luck?" she argued.

"Not you.  Me," he grinned.  "Let me take a look..." he said as he walked around to the front of the car. 

"Mom, you know who he looks like?" Alan asked from the back seat.  "Agent Zee that we saw last night.  Except he's not in a black suit." 

It wasn't a minute later when AJ was back at her window.  "You need a new battery."

"How do you know?" she asked, opening her door and climbing out.  "It was running fine... and then it just quit!  Wouldn't the battery die slowly?"

"Not when a terminal breaks off," he replied, walking her around to the front of the car.  He showed her the problem.  "The positive terminal broke away from the battery.  You're going to have to be towed."

"Oh no."

AJ nodded.  "I'm afraid so."

"Wouldn't you know it.  I just let my AAA expire."

AJ winked at her.  "Let me take care of it for you."

"Oh no, Admiral, I couldn't..."

"It's AJ, remember?"  He walked back to his vehicle and grabbed his cell phone, dialing a number as he walked back to Brenda.  She had moved to the passenger side of the car and stood by Alan's window.  "This is Admiral AJ Chegwidden.  I have a red Grand Am with a bad battery stuck on Old Dominion in McLean, heading south.  Have someone from the motor pool come pick it up and change the battery.  I want it finished and back at JAG by 2200 tonight."

The voice on the other end of the line snapped off a chipper, "Aye, aye, Sir.  Not a problem, Admiral."

"Good.  Thanks."  AJ disconnected the call.  "So, where can I take you?"  Brenda stood gaping at him.  "You were obviously headed somewhere..." AJ offered.

"Home.  We were just going to go home and spend a quiet evening with a movie or something," she finally managed to say.

"Well, if you'll tell me where 'home' is, I'll take you there.  Or..." he hesitated.  He really shouldn't... 

"Or?" she prompted.

'Oh what the hell, why not!?'  "Or you can spend the evening with me," AJ blurted out.  "I'm just going to a friend's home for a short visit.  Then we can do whatever you'd like..."

"Can we go see 'Men in Black'?" interrupted Alan from the backseat.

AJ smiled as Brenda said, "Alan, you've already seen that twice.  You don't need to see it again."

"Ah, Mom... please??" he begged.

She just shook her head and said, "What am I going to do with him?"

AJ chuckled.  "Take him a third time, I suppose."

Alan shrieked in the backseat.  "Hoo yah!!!  We're goin' to see 'Men in Black' again!!"

AJ leaned over to Brenda and whispered, "Will he stay awake through the late show?"

Brenda shrugged her shoulders.  "I have no idea."

Friday, 12 July 2002
1925 EDT
Roberts Residence
Greenbrier Park, Virginia

AJ pulled his vehicle into the Roberts' driveway.  Before he unlocked the doors, he said, "I need to tell you that Bud and Harriett Roberts are both Lieutenants in the Navy.  They were both at JAG until earlier this year.  Bud was transferred to an aircraft carrier as the JAG officer.  In May, he was in country... and he stepped on a landmine."  Brenda gasped.  Alan's face was as white as a sheet. "He lost a leg."

"Oh, AJ, that's awful.  The poor man," Brenda said.

"If you or Alan would prefer not to go inside..."

"Of course we'll go inside, AJ.  Won't we, Alan?" Brenda turned and asked her son.  She smiled encouragingly and he nodded.

"Very well."  AJ unlocked the doors and they all climbed out.  AJ grabbed a large bag from the back of the Escalade.  "Don't want to forget this."

Harriett answered the door and was delighted at their company.  "Admiral!  It's so good to see you.  Thank you for coming by."

"Harriett, may I present Brenda Alexander and her son, Alan," AJ offered.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Brenda.

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, I assure you.  Any friend of the Admiral is welcome here," Harriett gushed.  "Please, do come inside."  She turned and called into the house, "Bud!  Bud, the Admiral is here!"

"I'll be right out, Honey!" Bud called from the back of the house.  

"Harriett, wouldn't it be better for me to go to him as before?" asked AJ.

"Oh no, Sir.  He's walking a lot better now with the crutch.  And he was adamant that he come out here tonight if you came by.  He wants you to see how well he's progressing," she said.

Bud made his way down the hall and into the living room.  "Admiral!  It's good to see you, Sir.  Thank you for dropping by."

AJ walked over to Bud and laid his hand on Bud's shoulder.  "Haven't missed a Friday night yet, have I, Bud?"

"No, Sir.  And I can't tell you how much that means to me.  To both of us," Bud said, looking at his wife.

"I brought a couple of people with me tonight; I hope you don't mind."

"Absolutely not, Sir."  Bud looked over at Brenda and smiled.  "Very nice, Admiral," he whispered.

AJ grinned.  "Bud, this is Brenda Alexander and her son, Alan."

Just then little AJ came running down the hall squealing, "Adm'l AJ!  Adm'l AJ!"  He took a flying leap and fortunately, big AJ caught him in his arms.

"Well, hello, little man!" grinned the Admiral.

"Who's that?" the little boy asked, pointing a finger at Alan.

"His name is Alan.  Do you think you could take Alan with you into the play room for a little while?" AJ asked as he set the boy down.

"Aye, aye, Sir!" little AJ quipped.  He walked over to Alan and took his hand.  "Come on.  Let's go play trains!"

Alan was almost 5 years older than the little tyke, but he decided that he'd play along.  'After all, the Admiral is taking us to see "Men in Black" later.'

Harriett motioned for AJ and Brenda to sit down.  But before AJ took his seat, he took the box out of the shopping bag and handed it to Bud.  "Got you a little something to play with, Bud.  Hope you like it."

"To play with, Sir?" queried Bud.  AJ nodded.  Bud ripped the paper off the box and opened it.  "A robot!?"  He lifted his eyes to his former CO.

"I remember your liking one very much like that... Christmas a few years back," AJ explained.

"Admiral, I've wanted a robot for years!  Harriett would never let me buy one."  Bud was thrilled with his toy.  "Wow, this is great!  Thank you, Sir.  Really.  Thank you so much."

Harriett excused herself to go make a pot of coffee, and Brenda joined her in the kitchen.  "Can I help with anything?" she asked her hostess.

"Oh no, I have it.  But thank you," Harriett replied.

"How long have you known AJ?" Brenda asked quietly.

"Bud started working for him in January of '97.  I met him that March."

"Bud or AJ?" Brenda asked for clarification.

"The Admiral.  I met Bud the last of January the same year.  Then I met the Admiral in March."

"Oh, I see.  And when did you and Bud get married?"

"In May of '98.  Little AJ came a year later."

"And you named him after your CO?"

Harriett nodded.  "The Admiral means a lot to both Bud and me.  He's done so much for us.  We decided the best way we could honor him was to name our son after him."  Harriett giggled.  "Then he even had to deliver the baby on the floor of his office!"

"No!  You're joking!"

Harriett shook her head.  "Serious as a heart attack.  I went into labor and no one but the Admiral knew what to do.  He delivered little AJ, tied off the cord, everything!"

"My husband was like that.  He could do anything," Brenda remembered.

"I wondered about him..." Harriett ventured.  

"He was Commander Ben Alexander.  He died four years ago.  Alan was only three.  Just your son's age."

"I'm so sorry," Harriett offered, teary-eyed.  "What happened?"  Then she thought better of it, "If you feel like talking about it.  You don't have to, certainly."  She turned back to the counter and poured two mugs of coffee.

"No, it's okay.  I'm glad to tell you.  Especially you.  Maybe it will help you when you have a hard time with your pain about... Bud's leg."  Harriett looked at her questioningly.  "Ben stepped on a landmine, too.  He wasn't as lucky as your husband."  Harriett gasped.  "It was best that he died, actually.  He lost both his legs, his right arm, and had shrapnel imbedded in his brain that they'd never have been able to remove.  He lived for about a week after the accident.  He was in so much pain.  Every time he woke up, it was so horrible to watch.  I said goodbye to him over and over, because I knew he couldn't live."  Brenda couldn't go on.  Harriett put her arms around her and cried with her.  

"I'm so sorry, Brenda.  I didn't know."  Harriett looked up at her after a few minutes.  "And you're right.  It will help me to know how fortunate Bud and I are.  Thank you for sharing with me."

"I just need a minute, okay?" asked Brenda, her tears still streaming down her face.

Harriett nodded and left the kitchen with the two mugs of not-so-hot coffee.  When she reached the living room, Bud said, "I was wondering what happened to you, Sweetie."

"Harriett?" AJ noticed the wet streaks on her face before Bud saw her.  "Are you okay?"

She nodded and handed Bud a mug.  "But I think you might want to go to Brenda.  She could use a pair of strong arms right about now."

AJ was out of his seat in a flash.  He rounded the corner to the kitchen and found Brenda leaning against a counter, her hands covering her face.  He moved quietly to her and folded her into his arms.  "Shhh, there now, Darlin'," he whispered to her as he stroked her back.

They stood thus for several minutes, Brenda moving closer to AJ's chest until she was crushing herself against him.  She looked up into his eyes and tried to smile.  "I'm sorry," she whispered.  "I didn't mean to..."

AJ touched his right index finger to her lips.  "Shhh.  No apologies... unless they're from me.  I should have realized what memories would stir up by bringing you here.  It's my fault, Brenda."

"You know how he died?"

"I read his entire file this afternoon.  I wanted to know the man whose wife I..."

"Widow," she interrupted.  "I'm his widow, AJ.  Not his wife anymore."

AJ nodded.  "Whose widow I want to pursue."

"Pursue?  Is that what you're doing?  Pursuing me?" she teased.

"Damn straight," he breathed in her ear, sending chills up her spine.

Brenda lifted her face to his.  "I'm glad.  Very glad."

She almost didn't get her last word out as AJ lowered his mouth to hers, taking control of her lips and parting them with his tongue. 

"Mom!" they heard Alan's voice from the other room, so broke apart.  

"Coming, Alan!" she called back.  

AJ said, "If we're going to go to that movie tonight, we should get going.  It starts at 2135."

"How did you know that?" she asked over her shoulder as they walked back to the living room.

"I thought I'd catch it tonight after I left here... see what the fuss is all about," AJ confessed.

"Mom, is it okay if I stay here and play with AJ tomorrow?" Alan asked as the two boys came into the living room.

"Stay here?  Alan, you can't just invite yourself to spend the night," scolded Brenda.

"Oh, he's more than welcome, Brenda," said Harriett.  "They're having a lot of fun together, despite the difference in their ages."

Brenda looked from Harriett to AJ to Alan.  "Are you sure that's what you want to do?  Stay here instead of seeing the movie again?"

"It's too late, Mom.  I'd fall asleep anyway.  Uncle Bill said he'd take me again next week."

Brenda sighed.  "Well, okay.  If you're sure."

Little AJ and Alan jumped up and down in their excitement.  "Come on!  Let's go play some more!" cried Alan.

"Harriett, are you sure about this?" Brenda asked.

"Absolutely.  He's a delightful boy.  And he plays so well with little AJ."

Brenda reached in her purse and handed Harriett a personal calling card.  "Call me if anything happens and you need me to come and get him."

AJ tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned questioning eyes to him.  "Now, what would you like to do with the rest of the evening?"

"Well, I believe you said you had planned to go see the movie.  So I think that's what we should do."

"I can see that anytime..."

"No, no.  We'll go.  That's the right of it."

Continue to Part 2