Men in Black - JAG Style (Part 3)

Thursday, 18 July 2002
0945 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ blew into the JAG Ops bullpen, surprising everyone.  They all knew he was at Bethesda.  "Attention on deck!" Tiner called as he realized it truly was the Admiral he was seeing.  

"As you were!" AJ barked in return.  "Colonel, my office!"  It was now quite obvious that he was not in a good mood.  AJ entered his office to find papers scattered across his desk.  "Tiner!  What the hell is all this?" he bellowed.

Tiner quickly went to the Admiral's desk and began to pile the papers and remove them.  "I'm sorry, Admiral.  I was using your desk to sort things for filing, Sir.  Your desk is so much bigger, and it's easier...  It won't happen again, Sir."

"Where's the Colonel?" 

"Reporting as ordered, Admiral," Mac said as she entered his office and came to attention stance.  

"Mac, I want you to go back to Bethesda.  Stay with Brenda until she's coherent."

"Admiral, I thought you..."

"She doesn't want me there, Colonel.  And I don't intend to force my presence on her."

"I'll leave right away, Sir."

"Good.  Dismissed."

Mac turned and left the Admiral's office.  As she closed the door, she heard him swear, "Damn!  How the hell could I have fallen for her so fast?"

Thursday, 18 July 2002
1645 EDT
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland

Mac sat in the chair next to the window in Brenda's room.  She had her computer on her lap and didn't notice when Brenda woke up.  "Mac?" she spoke softly.

Mac turned her eyes toward the bed.  "Brenda!  You're awake!"  Mac set her laptop on the chair and went to Brenda's bedside.  "How are you feeling?"

"Confused."

"That's understandable," said Mac.

"Where am I?" Brenda asked.  "I mean, I know I'm in a hospital.  That's obvious," she commented as she glanced around the room.  "But where?"

"Bethesda Naval," Mac told her.

"The last I remember, I was in Richmond... in a motel.. with Alan."  Suddenly she became very agitated.  "Where is Alan?  Is he okay?"

Mac calmed her.  "Alan is fine, Brenda.  He's with the Roberts.  He and little AJ are having a ball together."  As Mac said the name "AJ", she noticed Brenda flinch.  "Brenda, what happened?"

"They came to the house, Mac.  They rang the doorbell, and I didn't even think to look first.  I just opened the door and they barged in.  Heyer grabbed me and took him upstairs to my bedroom.  I was so scared."

Just as Mac was going to probe further, the doctor entered the room.  "Well!  You're awake!  That's wonderful.  And how are you feeling this afternoon, Mrs. Alexander?"

"I'm fine, Doctor...?"

"Doctor Morrison," he said as he checked her vitals and made some notes on her chart.  "And I'd have to agree with you there; you are fine.  I'd like you to stay with us one more night, though... just to be sure you don't slip away from us again.  Would that be okay?"

"What exactly was wrong, Doctor?" Brenda asked, confused.  "I wasn't injured.  Why am I here?"

The doctor looked from Brenda to Mac and back to Brenda.  "You've been in an almost comatose state of shock for a good while, Mrs. Alexander."

"Oh," she replied quietly.

"I think it would be best if you stayed over another night," agreed Mac.  

"What about Alan?" Brenda asked.

"He can just stay where he is, or he can go home with me, if you'd rather."

"Where did he stay last night?"

"He spent most of it in the waiting room... on the Admiral's lap, sound asleep.  When the Admiral came in here, I took Alan home with me," Mac explained.  She noticed Brenda flinch again when she said "Admiral".  "Brenda, are you sure you're okay?"

Brenda's expression turned to one of utter desolation.  "Yes, I'm fine, Mac.  Alone.  But fine."

"You don't have to be alone, Brenda.  The Admiral..."

"No!" she replied quickly.  "No, I won't be seeing AJ any more.  We're not right for each other."

"I disagree," countered Mac.  "But that isn't my business; it's yours."  She turned back to her computer as the doctor left the room.  "Oh gosh, I'm still connected... tying up the phone line."  Mac quickly logged off and disconnected the phone cord from her computer.  She plugged it back into the phone on the bedside table.  Almost immediately, the phone rang.

Brenda reached for it and said, "Hello?"  There was stunned silence on the other end for a moment, so she repeated, "Hello?"

"Brenda?" AJ's soft voice came over the wire.  He'd had her phone on automatic redial for two hours.  Now that the call finally went through, he found himself tongue-tied.  He'd expected Mac to answer the phone, not Brenda.

'Oh God... help me!' she recognized the voice immediately. "Admiral Chegwidden.  Hello.  I imagine you're looking for Colonel MacKenzie.  She's right here...  Mac?"  Brenda held the receiver up to Mac so didn't hear AJ's rebuttal... but Mac did.

"Darlin', please... can't we talk about this?  You must know how I feel about you."

"I'm sorry, Sir," said Mac quietly into the mouthpiece.

"Damn," he swore.  "How is she, Mac?"

"Seems to be fine now, Sir.  The doctor wants to keep her another night, though, just to be sure.  She's concerned about where Alan will stay.  I told her he could stay with..."

"He'll stay with me," AJ answered quickly.  "I'm on my way to pick him up as soon as I leave here."

"Very good, Sir."

"Tell her not to worry; Alan is perfectly safe."

"I'll tell her, Admiral."

"And Mac?"

"Sir?

"Thank you."  

Mac was going to respond, but she heard the click when he hung up the phone and then a dial tone.  She smiled to herself, wondering how it would be to be loved by that man.  She couldn't imagine why any woman would not want him.  But Brenda seemed determined to block him out of her life.  Mac looked down at Brenda.  Should she brooch the subject?  Should she interfere in their relationship?

Brenda made the decision for her.  "So will Alan stay with you?" she asked Mac.

Mac shook her head.  "No, Brenda.  He's going to stay with the Admiral."  Brenda gasped.  "He's leaving now to pick him up from Harriett's."

"No, he can't.  Alan shouldn't get attached..."

"Brenda.  I'm not going to call the Admiral back and tell him that he can't keep Alan overnight.  If you don't want him to, you will have to call him."

"But I can't.  I can't call him."

"Why?"

"I just can't!" Brenda's eyes filled with tears, but she willed them not to fall.  

Mac sat on the edge of the bed and laid her hand over Brenda's.  "Brenda, the Admiral cares deeply for you.  Very deeply."

"And how many others?" she asked through her tears.

"No others," Mac shook her head.  "I've known the Admiral for years, Brenda.  He is not a womanizer.  In the 6 years I've known him, he's had 2 girlfriends."

Brenda gave Mac a questioning look.  "Two?  That's all?"

"The first one was a Judge.  Her name was Laura.  Laura Delaney.  He watched her die.  She was murdered in his place."  

Brenda gasped and her tears flowed freely down her cheeks.  "That's awful!"

Mac nodded.  "Yes, it is.  He tried to convince her not to see him for a while... until they were able to apprehend the man who was stalking him.  But she wouldn't listen.  And she stepped on a landmine planted at his house... meant for him."

Brenda paled.  "A landmine?"

"That's right.  She wasn't as lucky as Bud.  And she didn't live as long as your husband after it.  She died in the Emergency Room, right here at Bethesda, as he watched.  He didn't even get to say goodbye to her."  Mac's eyes welled up with tears of her own and they slipped silently down her cheeks.  "That was only a month after I met him."

Both women were quiet for several minutes, trying to regain control of their emotions.  Mac was staring out the window when Brenda said, "Who was the second one?"

"She's a doctor.  They only lasted about 6 months, if that.  I don't know exactly; he never said."

"What happened?"

"She let her grown son walk all over her, lie to her, manipulate her.  The Admiral tried to make her see the truth.  He lost."

"Sounds more to me like he won," Brenda said.  "A woman who doesn't have control over her own children isn't much of a woman, in my opinion."

"Mine either," agreed Mac with a grin.

"And that's all?"

"Well, Harm and Sturgis both tried to fix him up with friends of theirs earlier this year.  But those fell pretty flat.  Then he met a friend of mine, and I thought maybe something would take shape.  They dated a couple of times... then nothing.  He's a very intense man, Brenda.  Not all women can handle that."

"Ben was an intense man."

"What happened, Brenda?  What happened to change your mind about the Admiral?" Mac asked boldly.

Brenda sighed.  "I didn't change my mind."  

Mac looked at her, surprised.  "But I thought..."

"How much do you know, Mac?" Brenda asked.

"Only that Alan stayed the night with little AJ on Friday.  And you and the Admiral left together.  I try not to assume anything where my CO is concerned," Mac grinned.

Brenda laughed.  "I can understand that."  She closed her eyes and began speaking.  "We went to a movie.  He's incredible, you know.  Truly, incredible.  Then we went to my place."

"Wait.  AT the movie?" Mac was shocked.

Brenda blushed furiously.  "Mmm hmm.  At home was even better.  But I had a dream during the night.  I was supposed to meet AJ in a parking lot.  When I got there, he was there in his Cadillac.  But Ben was there, too, in his ancient Corvair... the one he had when we first started dating.  I was so shocked to see him.  I went to the car window and he rolled it down and spoke to me.  He said, 'You have to choose, Brenda.  Him or me.'  I looked at AJ in his SUV, and he was smiling at me.  I looked back at Ben, and he was frowning.  He said, 'Make your choice, Brenda.  Him or me.'  I remember crying in my dream.  I couldn't choose.  When I woke up, I was in AJ's arms.  His neck was all wet from my tears.  And the pillow was drenched."

"Did he wake up?"

Brenda nodded.  "Yes."

"Did you tell him about the dream?"

She shook her head.  "No.  I couldn't."

"What happened?"

"I ignored it.  And begged him to make love to me again."

Mac grinned.  "Somehow I don't think you had to beg very hard."

Brenda almost giggled.  "No, it wasn't difficult convincing him, that's true," she remembered.

"But you changed your mind later?"

Brenda nodded.  "We went back to sleep and when I woke up next, I'd had the same dream again.  Only this time, Ben told me that if I chose AJ, I'd never see Ben again."  She sniffed.  "I couldn't do it.  I couldn't.  I told AJ I'd made a mistake.  And that, as they say, was that."

"Brenda, don't you think it could have just been guilt because you were finally feeling something again for a man?"

"Maybe.  But even then.  What must AJ think of me?  I let him in my pants the first time we went out together.  He must think I'm a total slut."

Mac shook her head.  "No, Brenda.  He doesn't.  If he thought that, he wouldn't have broken every law on the highway yesterday to get to you.  He wouldn't have sat in that waiting room with your son on his lap, letting him drool all over his uniform as he slept.  He wouldn't have sat in here with you all night.  He wouldn't..."

"What?"

"What, what?" asked Mac, confused.

"What did you say?  AJ sat here with me all night?" Brenda asked for clarification.

"Yes, he did.  I took Alan home with me, and the Admiral came in here and stayed with you.  I only got here at 1040 this morning."

"When did he leave?  What time?" Brenda asked urgently.

"I don't know exactly," Mac said.  "Brenda, what is it?  What's wrong?"

"Here now, Mrs. Alexander," said the doctor as he walked in to find his patient very disturbed.  "What's going on?  You were doing so well.  Something troubling you?"

"Doctor, do you know what time the Admiral left here this morning?" asked Mac.

"It was just after daybreak... I'd say probably 0630... maybe a tad later," the doctor replied.  "Why?"

"Are you sure, Doctor?  It was that late?" asked Brenda, remembering.

"Mrs. Alexander, what is it you're afraid of?  That the Admiral heard your conversation with your late husband?"  She gasped.  He nodded.  "Yes, I thought so.  And yes.  He did hear it.  All of it.  That's when he left."

"Then it wasn't Ben who was here with me last night.  It was AJ who spoke to me... who touched me... even sang to me..." Brenda realized.  "Wait.  How do you know about Ben's being here?"

"Because it was me, Mrs. Alexander.  You thought I was your late husband," the doctor explained gently.

Brenda squeezed her eyes shut.  "Oh God...  What have I done?  Oh AJ..."

"Nothing that can't be undone, Brenda," whispered Mac as she picked up her hand and held it.  "The Admiral is a very understanding man.  He's kind.  Gentle.  And I do believe he'd do just about anything for you right now..."

"Damn straight, I would," AJ's voice sounded from the doorway.  No one had noticed him push the door open as he followed the doctor into the room.

"AJ," she breathed, gazing at him.  "You're here?"

"I found myself driving here instead of to Harriett's.  I had to check on you myself before I picked up Alan... be sure you were really okay," he said by way of explanation.  He walked to the side of the bed and sat where he'd sat the night before.  "Brenda, I don't want to push you into anything you're not ready for, but I care..."

She reached her finger up and laid it over his lips.  "No.  Don't say it.  Please.  Not yet.  Not until I've explained."

Mac and the doctor both left the room quietly; neither AJ nor Brenda wanted their presence, it was obvious.

"Brenda, you don't have to explain anything.  I know.  I understand."

"No, I don't think you do.  AJ, I had a dream..." and Brenda proceeded to tell AJ about the dream she had while in bed with him.

"Darlin', Ben is gone.  I'm sorry for that, but it's true.  He's gone, and he's never coming back.  He can never hold you again.  He can never love you again."

"I know that," Brenda said through her tears.

"And letting yourself love again... be loved again... is not being unfaithful to him."  

"What about Alan?" she asked.

"What about him?"

"What will he think of his mother just... just forgetting all about his father and..."

"Brenda, moving on to a new love does not mean you'll forget about him.  You'll want to tell Alan about his father.  He should know about him.  But that doesn't preclude you from being happy again."  Brenda lifted her tear-streaked face to his.  "Let me be the one to hold you now, Brenda.  Let me love you," AJ urged as he lowered his mouth to hers.

Brenda slipped her arms around AJ's neck and deepened their kiss.  

Saturday, 24 August 2002
1410 EDT
Alexander Residence
Arlington, Virginia

Alan's birthday party was in full swing.  There were a total of 12 boys present, including Alan.  Mac and Harriett were there to help Brenda with the party.  

"Alan is really sold on that movie, isn't he?" said Mac, laughing as she saw all the 'Men in Black' decorations.

"Completely!" laughed Brenda.  "And he still thinks he knows one of the agents.  He just won't believe that Agent Zee is really AJ."

Harriett laughed.  "Why doesn't the Admiral just dress that way once for him... and then he'll see."

Brenda grinned.  "He did that already.  Didn't convince my son!  And of course, he's expecting Agent Zee to show up here today at his party."

"What?" asked Harriett and Mac together.

"He wrote him a letter.  Even mailed it," Brenda shook her head.  "I just hate that he's going to be disappointed, but I guess it can't be helped."

"Where is the Admiral today, anyway?" asked Harriett.  "I thought he'd be here."

"He had a call from the SecNav last night.  He's at the Pentagon today," Brenda sighed.

Mac grinned to herself.  'Yea, a likely story.  I wonder what he's up to.'  She knew full well that the SecNav was on vacation with his wife in Tahiti.  And she knew that the Admiral had called both Harm and Sturgis into his office yesterday for a closed-door session with Webb.  When they emerged an hour later, they were all grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat.

"Brenda, what ever happened to those two men?  The ones who were accusing your late husband of..."

"They're dead, Harriett," whispered Mac, shaking her head to keep her from asking anymore questions.  But Brenda had heard the question, so she answered, too.

"They came to the house the day AJ brought me home from the hospital.  This time he answered the door.  In uniform," she grinned.  "They were surprised, to say the least.  AJ recognized them from their pictures, and he let them have it.  I don't know exactly what he said to them, but it worked.  They left... quickly... scared to death.  They had a wreck a few miles away.  Evidently they pulled out in front of a semi, and the semi didn't have time to react.  He was loaded and couldn't stop.  There was no where for him to go.  He rammed them from behind and it was like an accordion.  They didn't stand a chance."

"How dreadful," said Harriett.

"Yes, it was.  I'm glad they're not here to bother me anymore, but I didn't want them to die.  They didn't deserve that," Brenda replied.

Saturday, 24 August 2002
1410 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

"All set, gentlemen?" AJ asked the three men in his living room.  

"Yes, Sir," they replied.

"Now remember, no 'Sir' this afternoon.  I'm Agent Zee.  Harm, you're Agent Cee.  Sturgis, you're Agent Dee.  And Webb, you're the alien 'Tendrils' coming for revenge.  Your Earth name is 'Ten', remember.  And you were infatuated with Serleena and you hate Agent Jay because he put you in prison."

"And Agent Jay is who, again?" asked Webb.

"Agent Jay is in the movie, Webb.  He's not with us today," Harm explained.

"Okay."

"Admiral, do you really think this is going to work?  You think they'll believe it?" asked Sturgis.

"Absolutely," AJ told him.  The men looked at him strangely.  "I know, I know... but Alan is only 8.  And the other boys are the same age or younger.  It'll look real to them.  Just be sure not to be too scary.  We don't want to upset the women."  They men laughed their understanding.  "Okay, let's head out.  Webb, you go on ahead and hide.  When we get there, show yourself... but be sure no one else sees you first!" 

Saturday, 24 August 2002
1445 EDT
Alexander Residence
Arlington, Virginia

"Alan!" Brenda called.  "Gather all your friends at the picnic table so we can have birthday cake and ice cream now."

"Mommy!  We can't!  Agent Zee isn't here yet," Alan protested.

"Alan, Agent Zee is probably very busy chasing aliens right now.  I'm sure he wanted to come today, but sometimes people can't do everything they want to do."

"Like Admiral AJ having to work today?" asked Alan in a small voice.

Brenda nodded.  "I'm sorry, Sweetheart.  I know you wanted him here today.  But he has an important job.  And he had to..."

"I know Mom.  It's okay.  Can I open my presents now?"  

His mother laughed at his instant change of attitude.  "Not until we've had your birthday cake," Brenda told him.

"Then can we have that now?" he pleaded.

"Go call your friends to the picnic table."

Alan was just ready to dart back to his friends when he saw Agent Zee rounding the corner of the house.  "Agent Zee!!  You came!  You came!!"

AJ grinned from ear to ear as he saw everyone turn and stare at him.  He was dressed just as before... in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, black shoes & socks... and of course, black sunglasses.  'Damned good thing it didn't rain.  Wouldn't have needed the glasses!'

Alan ran over to him, but AJ held him off.  He was concerned that if he picked him up, Alan might realize the truth... that he was really Admiral AJ.  And for today... for the party... he wanted Alan to still believe in Agent Zee.  "Don't mess the suit, Boy," AJ said.

"Oh!  Sorry," Alan said quickly, backing away a little.

"I hear someone's having a birthday," AJ said taking off his sunglasses and peering down at Alan.

"Me!  I am!  I'm 8 today," Alan replied as the guests gathered closer.

"Good age," AJ nodded.  "I got your letter.  We'll have to discuss that later.  I need to know how you found out the address for MIB headquarters, Boy."

Alan looked almost frightened.  "You mean I was right?" he whispered.  "I guessed.  Honest, Agent Zee.  I guessed."

AJ nodded.  "Yes, well... we'll see about that.  May have to zap you yet."

"Oh no!  Please, Agent Zee; I won't tell anyone.  Not even my mom or the Admiral."

"Admiral?  What Admiral?" AJ asked suspiciously, looking around.

Alan gulped.  "Admiral AJ.  He's not here.  He's at the Pentagon.  He had to work today."

"Is he someone special?" AJ asked.

Alan lowered his chin, but raised his eyes.  "Uh huh.  He's gonna be my new Daddy."

"Alan!" cried Brenda, moving to Alan.

"Now, now... let the boy talk," said AJ holding his hand up to stop her.  "Go on.  He's going to be your Daddy... and are you happy about that?"

Alan nodded his head.  "Uh huh."

"You don't sound too sure to me," AJ said.

"Oh I am.  I just don't want to get him in trouble with you.  I don't think it would be a good thing if you zapped him."

AJ shook his head.  "Already had to zap Chegwidden a few times.  He sees too much."

"You know who I mean?"

"Of course I do.  He called me a few weeks ago about you.  You told him to, remember?  You and your mom were in some kind of trouble."

Alan brightened.  "Oh yeah!  He said he knew you!"

AJ nodded.  "He'll be glad to have a little boy to call 'Son'."  Then he looked up at Brenda, "And he'll be glad to have your mom, too," he said with an evil glint in his eye.

Brenda blushed furiously.  "Shall we have cake now?" she squeaked.

As all the boys gathered around the picnic table with AJ taking his seat next to Alan, the women brought the cake and ice cream outside.  Mac lit the candles, and they sang Happy Birthday.  As they finished, Alan gasped and pointed at the bushes.  "Agent Zee!  Did you see that?"

AJ had seen it.  It was Webb.  "See what, Boy?" he pretended.

"I thought I saw an alien," Alan said quietly.

"An alien?!" screamed one of the boys.  "Where?!"

The boys all jumped up from the table and ran, following Alan.  'Uh oh,' thought AJ.  'This is something we didn't plan on... the boys chasing him!'

Just as the boys reached the bushes, Webb darted out from the other side of the yard.  'How did he get over there so fast?' wondered AJ.  'Damn, he sure looked bigger than Webb, too.'

"There!  There he is!" cried one of the boys.

They all ran in that direction, but suddenly came to a complete stop when AJ stood up from the table.  "Boys!" he bellowed.  "You best not be chasing an alien.  They're dangerous.  Leave that to the MIB."  They all nodded.  AJ turned to the women.  "If you'll excuse me, ladies, I'll see about taking care of our unwanted guest."

"Thank you, Agent Zee," smiled Brenda.

"Sorry to barge in on the party," Harm said as he and Sturgis came around the corner of the house.  The boys gasped in surprise.  Here were two more Men in Black, and these two carried weapons!

Sturgis continued, "Zee, we've had a report that Ten survived and is loose.  He couldn't find Jay or Kay, so he's after you."

Alan gasped.  "Ten?!  As in Tendrils?  Oh wow!!"

The three men looked down at Alan.  "How do you know about Tendrils?" Harm asked him.

He gulped and his voice rose an octave in answer.  "He was in the movie."

AJ nodded.  "He's right.  He was," he told his two cohorts.  "Alan saw an alien just a minute ago.  Probably Ten, if what you say is correct."

Suddenly Webb ran across the back of the yard screaming, "Watch your back, Zee!  I'll get you when you least expect it!!"

The boys screamed and ran to the three women, huddling together, shaking and crying in fear.  The men knew they were in big trouble now.  They looked at each other.  'Uh oh.'

"It's okay, Boys," said Sturgis.  "We're old pros at this.  Ten won't hurt anyone.  We'll get him," he assured them.

Harm handed AJ his Ball gun.  "Cee, you know I prefer the Wacky gun!  Why'd you bring me this piece of junk?" AJ complained as they headed for the bushes.

Suddenly there was a noise behind them, and Alan screamed, "Agent Zee, behind you!!"

AJ whirled around to find a large black man with an eye on his forehead coming right at him.  'What the...?'

Harm and Sturgis turned around just in time to see him tackle the Admiral.  'Uh oh.'

"Zee, you okay?" yelled Harm.  

"Perfect!" AJ growled, getting up and grabbing his Ball gun, but the alien was gone.  'That sure as hell looked like Chaplain Turner.'

Webb ran out of the bushes again and right into Harm's backside, knocking him down.  It was all the women could do not to laugh.  Something was obviously going wrong.  None of them believed that Harm or AJ would have agreed to get tackled in this little game.  As Webb scurried to his feet to run off, Harm reached for one of the tendrils on Webb's mask.  'God, I hope I got the one that's loose!'  He pulled and it came off in his hand.  Webb screamed as though in agony and fell to the ground, rolling into the bushes.  

"Oh no you don't," hollered AJ.  He fired his Ball gun into the bushes.  Webb quickly ripped off the mask and threw it out from the bushes into the yard.  "That'll take care of you, Ten, once and for all!"

The boys cheered for Agent Zee when they saw the mask come flying out from the bushes.  But then gasped when they saw Third-Eye Guy heading straight for Agent Dee.  "Look out!" they cried.  "It's Slim!!"

AJ turned around to see the big black man try to tackle Sturgis.  But Sturgis knew he was coming and put his hand out... catching him right in the third eye.  The alien screamed.  He put his hands over his third eye and tottered to the bushes.

"You're not getting away that easily, Slim!" yelled AJ.  He fired the Ball gun again.  Nothing.  He tried again.  Still nothing.  'Damn... no balls left.'  

Alan yelled to him.  "The Wacky Gun!  The Wacky Gun!" he pointed to the ground near AJ.

AJ grabbed Sturgis' Wacky Gun from the ground, turned, and fired in the same direction.  There was a low growl... that turned into a roar before it was perfectly silent.  Then a large eyeball came rolling into the yard.

The boys cheered, "Hooray!!  Hooray!!"

"Any more?" asked AJ.

"Nope."  "Didn't see anymore," Harm and Sturgis replied.  

"Good.  We'd better get out of here then.  Don't want to mess up the boy's birthday party any more than we already have," said AJ.

Alan and the boys were gathered around them, when they suddenly got very nervous.  Harm looked at Sturgis and AJ.  "Dee, you take those 6.  Zee, you take the other boys.  I'll take the women," Harm said as he wiggled his eyebrows at Mac.

"You're gonna zap us, aren't you?" asked Alan.  He looked up at AJ.  "Please don't zap us, Agent Zee.  We won't say anything."

"Have to, Boy," said AJ.  "You can't know about all this.  Best to forget."

Brenda smiled.  She knew Alan would never forget this birthday.

The boys looked at each other.  Then one boldly asked, "Will it hurt?"

Sturgis shook his head.  "Not in the least.  You won't feel a thing."

The three men each took out a long silver rod from their breast pocket.  A bright light flashed in each boys' eyes... and the three women's eyes... and the three Men in Black disappeared around the corner of the house.

Alan was the first to speak.  "Mom?" his voice was shaky.  "Mom?"

"I'm right here, Alan.  Boys!  Come on and gather around now, and Alan can open his presents!"

Alan turned to his mother.  "Mom, do you remember anything?"

"Of course I do, Sweetie.  I remember it's your birthday, and you haven't opened your presents.  Come on!"

"No, I mean about Agent Zee and..."

"Now, Alan, are you going to start with all that nonsense again?  I told you, it's just a movie."

Alan turned and looked at his friends.  They all nodded their heads.  They remembered.  But they knew they weren't supposed to remember.  So they couldn't tell anyone they remembered... or the Men in Black would come back for them!

Meanwhile, around front, AJ, Harm, and Sturgis met up with Webb and Sturgis' father.  "Chaplain Turner!  How in the world did you happen to get involved in this little charade?" asked AJ.

The senior Turner chuckled.  "Well, I'll tell you, Admiral.  My boy was telling me about the fun he was going to have today playing a new version of cowboys & Indians.  And I just thought it sounded like too much fun to pass up."

AJ shook his head.  "Well, you sure surprised me!"

"And me!" said his son.  "Dad, I had no idea you'd show up here today!  How'd you even know the address?"

"I didn't," his father said.  "I just followed you to the Admiral's house.  And then followed the lot of you over here," he chuckled.  "Not very observant, are you?"

AJ said, "Well, gentlemen, thank you for agreeing to participate in this little birthday surprise.  I'm sure Alan was delighted.  His mother?  Now that's questionable," AJ quipped.

"Oh, Admiral, I don't think you'll have much trouble setting her mind at ease about all this," said Harm.

AJ grinned wolfishly.  "Sure gonna be a hell of a lot of fun, I'll tell you."  He saw the questioning looks on the men's faces.  "Oh that's right.  You didn't hear.  When I walked in earlier, Alan announced that Admiral AJ is going to be his new Daddy."

"What?"  "Oh my God!"  "Well, I'll be!"  The men chorused.  

"What did Brenda say to that, AJ?" asked Webb.

"She got rather flustered and embarrassed.  I wouldn't let her say anything," AJ laughed.  "But you can bet we'll talk about it tonight after Admiral AJ puts the youngster to bed.  Early."  They laughed with him.  "I'd better get inside and change clothes.  I need to show up before the party's over as Admiral AJ.  I promised Alan."

The men dispersed, and AJ quickly changed.  He walked out the back door just as Alan finished opening the last of his presents.  He turned and saw AJ and darted over to him, leaping into his arms the way little AJ always did.  "Admiral AJ!  You came!!"

"Of course, I came, Son.  I made you a promise.  And I always do my best to keep my promises."

They walked over to the group of party-goers, and Alan introduced Admiral AJ to his friends. 

"Wow, are you a real Admiral?"  "How many stars do you have?"  "You must have a lot of scrambled eggs on your cover," the boys said in turn.

AJ laughed at the last one.  "So, you're a Navy boy, too, hmm?" he asked the youngster.  The boy nodded.  "Yes, I have a lot of scrambled eggs on my cover.  Alan can show it to you when you all go inside.  He knows where I put my cover."  Then AJ turned to another boy.  "Two stars.  Alan can show you those, too, if you want."

"Let's go!!" the boys cried, jumping up and running toward the house.

Alan ran with them, but he stopped before he got very far.  He turned around and asked, "Mom?  Is it okay if I go in your room to show the boys Admiral AJ's uniform?"

Brenda smiled.  "Yes, Alan.  You may."

He turned and ran after the other boys.  

AJ got up and hugged Brenda, kissing her lightly on the lips.  "What was that about?" he asked, not really minding that Harriett and Mac were right there.

"I told Alan he must always ask me before he goes in my bedroom now."

"Why?" AJ asked.

"He walked in on us last night," Brenda informed him.  "You didn't hear him either?"

AJ shook his head.  "No.  And that's surprising."

Brenda blushed.  "Well, not really."  She took his arm and walked him away from the others a few yards.  "He said I was groaning really loud and he was afraid something was wrong.  He opened the door and saw you with me, so he decided I must be okay and he left without saying anything."

"Did he see what we were doing?" AJ asked quietly.

Brenda smiled.  "No.  But he saw your naked butt in the air," she giggled.

"Oh God," AJ sighed.  "What'd you tell him?"

"He wanted to know what we were doing.  I told him that we were doing what grownups do when they love each other."  Brenda's voice dropped in volume on these last words.

AJ put his hand on her chin and lifted her head until her eyes met his.  "Are you, Brenda?  Are you in love with me?" he asked.  Tears formed in her eyes, but she willed them not to fall.  "Would it help if I said I was head over heals in love with you?" he asked.

"Oh, AJ!" she fell into his arms and he hugged her tightly.  She lifted her head to his and he claimed her mouth.  "I was just mortified when Alan said that earlier about your being his new Daddy."

"Don't you want me to be?"

"Of course I do," she breathed.  "But..."

"But nothing, Darlin'.  All it takes is a 'yes' from you to an age-old question."  He drew Brenda over to the picnic table and sat her on the bench.  Then he got down on one knee and took her hand in his.  "I love you, Brenda Gaye Alexander.  Will you marry me?" 

Just then the boys came storming out of the house, Alan in the lead.  "Admiral AJ!  Why are you on the ground?  Did Mommy lose another earring?"

AJ grinned as he turned to the boy who would soon become his son.  "No, Alan.  I just asked your Mommy if she would be my wife.  That would mean I would get to be your new Daddy.  Is that okay?"

"Hoo yah!!" the boy yelled.  "That's the best birthday present of all!!"  Alan jumped up and down and then jumped on AJ's back and hugged his neck.  AJ stood up and bounced him around the yard, as though he was riding a horse.  "Hoo yah!!" the boy yelled again.

Later, after all the boys had gone, and Mac and Harriett helped Brenda clean up the mess from the party, they offered her their congratulations.  Brenda flushed.  "Thank you.  I didn't realize today would be so eventful."

"It was a wonderful day, Brenda," said Mac.

"Welcome to the JAG family," said Harriett.  "You won't be sorry... not in the least."

"Bye," they all said as the two women left, Harriett carrying a sleeping little AJ.

Brenda closed the door and turned to find AJ standing in the living room.  "Alan's sound asleep," he informed her.

She spoke as she walked across the room to him.  "You made this birthday his best yet, AJ.  I can't begin to thank you for all you did.  I can't believe you pulled off that charade.  It really was incredible."  Brenda lifted her arms and encircled his neck, pulling his head down to hers. 

Before their lips met, AJ whispered, "You didn't answer me, earlier, Brenda.  Will you marry me?"

Brenda's face lit up with a smile and she purred, "Only if I can marry both of you."

"Both of me?" he asked, confused.

"Mmm hmm.  Admiral AJ and Agent Zee."

The end.