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Author: Ava Rating: R Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary: Just another Christmas story where AJ & Mac get together. Author's comments: Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text'). |
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Monday, 10 December 2001
1715 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac pushed back from the table; she was finally finished pouring through the books in the library. "God, I'm so glad to be finished with this!" she said to Bud.
"Yes, Ma'am, it did take a lot longer than I expected."
"I think we made significant headway on the case this afternoon, though, Bud. So I'd say we can call it quits for today. Let's head out of here, shall we?" Mac stood up and stretched. "I sure do miss Chloe. Always do after she's been with me for a weekend."
"I can understand that, Ma'am. You two really have something pretty special."
"That we do, Bud. That we do," she agreed as she opened the library door and stood in the doorway waiting for Bud. "So what are you and Harriett doing for Christmas this year, Bud? Are her folks coming up?"
Bud walked up behind her and stopped. "No, Ma'am. My father and Mikey are coming this year. Harriett and I thought it best if her parents don't come until after my father is gone."
"Buddy!" Harriett called sweetly. "Look above you."
Bud looked up and saw the mistletoe. He knew it was there, but he'd completely forgotten. He looked back at Harriett with a look of panic on his face. She was smiling, as was everyone else in the bullpen. Mac shook her head. "Don't even think about it, Lieutenant," she barked without looking up.
"But, Colonel, it's tradition!" said the Admiral as he walked out of his office and saw what was happening. "Lieutenant?"
Bud quickly leaned over and pecked Mac on the mouth. "I'm sorry, Ma'am," he said and sped away.
"This has to stop!" Mac complained. She jumped in the air and grabbed the sprig, pulling it down. "Harriett, I thought I told you to get rid of this thing."
"And I told her to hang it over the library door, Mac. Now who do you think she was going to obey... you or me?" chuckled the Admiral. He turned and walked back in his office. Mac stormed off to hers and slammed the door.
"Where should we hang it next?" asked Sturgis.
Harriett grinned. "I know the perfect place! We just have to wait for the right moment so we can catch them!"
"Catch who, Harriett?" asked Bud. "The Colonel and who?"
Harriett looked around the room. Did she dare? Oh, why not? "The Admiral," she whispered and wiggled her eyebrows. They were shocked. Every last one of them.
"Harriett? Have you lost your mind?" cried Bud.
Then Sturgis started to chuckle. "I think it's perfect, Lieutenant. He's been picking on her pretty badly with that little sprig of parasite. He'll get some of his own back. We just have to time it so that she's in there with him... then call them both out together."
Wednesday, 12 December 2001
1515 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and Sturgis walked into the bullpen. "Sirs!" cried Bud. "They're in there together!"
"Did you hang the mistletoe yet?" asked Harm.
"No, Sir. We wanted to be sure you'd both be here when they came out," explained Harriett. She pulled the sprig out of her desk and handed it to Harm along with the pushpin. He walked quietly over to the Admiral's office and, reaching up, pushed the pin into the doorframe and hung the mistletoe.
"Now to call them out," Sturgis said. "Tiner, I guess that's your job."
Tiner looked at them aghast. "Me, Sir?"
"What are they meeting about, anyway, Tiner?" asked Harm.
Tiner shook his head. "I don't know, Sir. There wasn't anything on the calendar. He just asked to see the Colonel about an hour ago."
"She's been in there for an hour?" Harm said. Tiner nodded. "Maybe this isn't the best time to..." Just then they heard Mac and the Admiral laughing. "Uh oh... too late. They're coming!" Harm whispered urgently. "Back up everyone!"
They all headed back to the bullpen quickly, Tiner included, just as Mac opened the door. She turned back inside and spoke, "I'm sure Francesca will enjoy her visit no matter what you all do, Sir. Just spending time with you is all she wants. You don't have to plan all kinds of things to keep her occupied. She's a grown woman, not a child... like Chloe."
AJ walked toward the door. As soon as Mac opened the door, he saw the mistletoe hanging there. Mac hadn't seen it yet, he was certain. "True. I forget that sometimes," he said as he slowly advanced to the doorway. He couldn't let anyone realize that he knew that sprig was there. It had to appear like it was a surprise. This would probably be the only chance he ever had to kiss Mac... really kiss her. He wasn't about to mess it up.
"That she's a grown woman or that Chloe is still a child?" Mac laughed.
AJ grinned. "There's no forgetting that Chloe is a child, Mac! And she may be older, but she is still precocious!" he said as he reached her side. AJ looked past her, "Tiner, get me a... No Tiner. I guess I'll get it myself."
They both turned to walk out when they saw the entire bullpen watching them. Every one of them grinning from ear to ear. Mac groaned. "Oh no," she whispered and looked up. "Not again." She looked at the Admiral, fully expecting him to be angry that someone had pulled this trick on him this time. What she saw surprised and thrilled her.
"Well, Colonel? I guess it's my turn." He looked up and said for the benefit of the others, "And as the senior officer here, I guess it's my duty to show these underlings how it's supposed to be done."
Mac's eyes grew as round as saucers at his words. AJ turned Mac to him and he leaned her back against the door frame. He leaned into her and pulled her head up to meet his lowered one. He pressed his lips against hers and ran his tongue along the seam of her mouth. She opened it, and he immediately tasted her, sucking on her tongue. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against him. Mac found herself reacting; she reached her hands up and ran her fingers along his bald head and then down his back. Just as she was about to caress his butt, he released her mouth and pulled away from her.
AJ grinned at Mac, who was leaning back against the door frame, again, trying to catch her breath. Then he turned to the bullpen and said, "And that, gentlemen, is how it's supposed to be done. See if you can do better next time." AJ strode through the bullpen and headed for the stairs. He very much needed to visit the head, but there was no way he was going to let any of his people know that! So he walked down one flight and directly into the men's room.
"Good God!" "Did you see that?" "Oh my God!" "That was incredible!" "I can't believe the Admiral kissed her like that!" "Kissed her? Hell, he practically devoured her!" "God, I wish he'd kiss me like that." "I wonder if he gives lessons?"
Mac heard the words floating around her, but she couldn't identify the voices. Her head was still swimming from AJ's kiss. 'How did I know it would be like that with him? He's amazing... perfect... oh God! I want more...'
Wednesday, 12 December 2001
2335 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
"Damn! I can't believe I did that," fussed AJ for the umpteenth time since he kissed Mac in the office. "Why didn't you just give her a peck like everyone else did? No, you had to go and give it all you had. And after Saturday morning, she's going to be afraid to be alone in a room with you." AJ paced the living room as he talked to himself. "I should call her. Apologize. No, that would make it worse. That would admit that I did something wrong. Well I did, damn it!" He grabbed the phone and dialed her number.
"Hello?" a sleepy voice answered.
'Damn, I didn't even think about the time!' AJ grimaced. "Did I wake you?" he asked.
"Admiral?" she asked. Mac sat up in bed and shook her head, trying to wake up. "Admiral, I'm awake now, Sir. Is something wrong?"
"I shouldn't have called this late, Colonel. It can wait."
"No, please, Sir. It's all right. I'm awake. What can I do for you, Admiral?" Mac asked. 'I know what I'd like to do for you,' she mused to herself.
'You could make me the happiest man on the face of the earth, that's what you could do, Sarah MacKenzie,' AJ thought. "Nothing, Mac. I just wanted to be sure you were okay with the whole mistletoe episode at the office this week. I let it get out of hand. I should have had it thrown out last Friday. But it seemed harmless enough until..."
Mac smiled. "It was fine, Sir. Just a mite embarrassing, is all. Kind of fun, actually, though."
"You aren't upset anymore?"
"No, Sir."
"Good."
"I will tell you, though, Sir... I took the sprig down and brought it home with me. I didn't want to take any more chances of getting caught under it... at the office," she added.
"At the office? Meaning you're hanging it up at your apartment?" he asked, surprised.
"First thing I did when I got home, Sir," Mac laughed. "I wanted to be sure it was up in case a certain sailor showed up tonight," she said. She had almost expected the Admiral to drop by to apologize for the kiss in the office.
AJ frowned. "Sorry, Mac. I thought you knew I sent Harm to Indiana this afternoon. He left at 1730. Won't be back until Friday night. Well, I'll let you get back to sleep. See you tomorrow, Colonel."
"I didn't mean Harm," she whispered, but he had already hung up.
Friday, 14 December 2001
1545 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
AJ and Mac were in the break room; he was munching on the last of the Christmas cookies that Harriett had baked, and Mac was pouring the last of the coffee into her mug. "When does Francesca arrive, Admiral?" Mac asked cordially.
"Her flight arrives tomorrow evening," he replied as Harm walked into the break room. "You're back. How did it go?" the Admiral addressed him.
"No problems at all, Sir. Everything's resolved to both parties' satisfaction." Harm looked at the empty plate where the cookies had been. "No more cookies?"
AJ shook his head. "They were good, too," he smirked as he popped the last one in his mouth.
"How long will Francesca be here this time, Admiral?" Harm asked.
"Almost 2 weeks; she goes back on the 28th. It's a Friday, I believe."
"So, Mac!" Harm turned his attention to her. "Any more luck catching guys under the mistletoe?" he laughed.
Mac flushed as she looked at the object of her last mistletoe kiss. The Admiral smiled as he remembered it, too. "I took it down, Harm. And it hasn't been seen in this office since." Mac stalked out of the break room and returned to her office.
"What she failed to mention, Commander, is that she hung it up at her apartment," AJ quipped. "I believe she's hoping a certain sailor will happen by her place one evening and find himself under it with her, again." AJ chuckled and returned to his office. 'Damn, I sure wish it was me she wanted. Wouldn't do any good, Chegwidden. You couldn't have her anyway.'
Harm grinned. "Hmm, so Mac hung the mistletoe at her place? Guess I'll just have to stop by there this weekend... maybe even tonight." He headed to her office. "Hey, Mac! Want to get a pizza tonight?"
Friday, 14 December 2001
1915 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC
Harm rang the doorbell, again. "Where is she? She said 1900; I'm only 15 minutes late." He knocked on the door this time. "Mac!" he called. "Mac, it's Harm! You in there?" He knew she was home; her car was parked outside. "Mac!"
The neighbor opened his door and peered out into the hallway. Seeing the familiar man outside Mac's door, he nodded to Harm and closed his door, again.
Harm was getting edgy now. What could be keeping Mac from answering the door? He didn't like to do this when he knew she was home, but he was concerned. He pulled out his key ring and used his copy of her door key to let himself in. "Mac, I'm coming in!" he called loudly. "Where are you?"
He set the pizza box on the table and began looking around. He noticed that her bedroom door was closed, so he walked over to it and tapped. Nothing. "Mac?" He knocked louder. Still nothing. He tried the doorknob and it turned easily in his hand. He slowly opened the door and walked inside. Nothing seemed out of place. Mac's clothes were laid out on the bed as though she was ready to put them on.
The bathroom door was open and he glanced inside. "Mac!!" he yelled. "Oh my God!" He ran in the bathroom and knelt beside her still, naked body. "Mac? Can you hear me? Mac?" It was obvious to Harm that she'd fallen getting out of the bathtub. One leg was still draped over the edge; the other one was crumpled underneath her. When he still couldn't wake her, Harm grabbed a large towel and draped it over her. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1.
When the paramedics arrived, he explained what he believed had happened and how he found Mac. They checked her over and found her vitals very sluggish. "No wonder she's not waking up." They put her on the gurney. "Preference of hospital?" they asked Harm.
"Bethesda Naval," he said. "She's a Marine."
"A Marine and she can't get out of a bathtub?" chuckled one of the paramedics.
"She ever finds out you said that, you'll wish you were never born," Harm replied with a grin. "She can be one bad Marine."
"Name?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie."
"Oh God! That's where I've seen her before! On TV. She's the one who took down the escalator guy at Dulles last week. Damn, Joe! She could take you down... in a heartbeat!" laughed the other paramedic.
Friday, 14 December 2001
2205 EST
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland
Commander Dietrich walked into the waiting room and found the same two men waiting for news this week as last week. This time it was news about the Colonel, rather than the child. "Admiral. Commander."
"Commander Dietrich," AJ acknowledged him as he stood and shook his hand. "How's Colonel MacKenzie? Has she regained consciousness?"
"Please, have a seat," Dietrich said, motioning to the chairs the men had just vacated. "She's going to be just fine. Yes, she is conscious. Actually, she feels a bit foolish right now, I think. Made a comment about a big, bad Marine not being able to climb out of a bathtub." AJ chuckled. Harm grinned; he hoped she hadn't heard the paramedic say the same thing. "She has a concussion..."
"But not a serious one," Harm said emphatically. "Right?"
"It isn't what I'd call a mild concussion, Commander, but it isn't one that I consider a threat to her life. Bad enough, though, that I want to keep her here at least overnight for observation."
"She won't like that," commented Harm.
"When does she ever like being told what to do, Harm?" AJ joked, which brought a chuckle from Harm and Dietrich.
"Can I see her now?" Harm asked.
"The nurse is helping her into a gown. Give her a couple of minutes to get settled, and then you can go in. But just for 10 minutes."
"Doctor, I'd like to stay with her tonight," Harm said.
"I don't think that would be a good idea, Commander," replied the doctor. "She needs her rest, and we're going to have to wake her every 30 minutes all through the night. It's going to be hard enough on her without knowing someone is sitting there worrying about her."
"The doctor's right, Harm. Mac will be better off if she believes you think she's fine. You stay the night here, and she'll think we're not telling her everything," AJ reasoned with him.
"Admiral, she's..."
"I'll drop you back by her place, Harm. You can either pick up your vehicle and go home or you can stay the night there, where you'd feel closer to her. But I don't want you back here until morning." Harm looked at his watch. "0800 morning," AJ clarified.
When they walked into Mac's hospital room, they found her propped up in the bed with a bandage around her head. "Well, Mac. Decided you liked it here, hmm? Or is it this fine looking doctor you like?" teased AJ. "Should I bring the mistletoe?"
Mac smiled. "Hello, Admiral. Sorry about all this, Sir." She looked at Harm. "Glad you found me. Where's the pizza?"
Harm and AJ laughed. "Only you would think of food right now, Mac! I left it on the table at your place," Harm said. "I was going to ask you how you feel, but if you're thinking about food, I guess you feel pretty good, huh?"
"When do I ever not think about food, Squid?" Mac answered saucily.
"Squid?" laughed AJ. "You let her call you a squid?" Harm laughed. "I don't suggest you ever call me a squid, Mac," AJ teased.
"Oh no, Sir. I'd never call you a squid. Once you reach Admiral, you're a real sailor, not a squid," she laughed. The men joined in her laughter.
During the ride back to her apartment, both men were quiet. Each was pondering things that had happened and been said during the course of the evening.
Harm's thoughts were on the mistletoe. 'The Admiral said Mac hung it in her apartment. But I didn't see it there tonight. And how did he know she hung it up? Maybe she told him she did. But why would she have taken it down knowing I was coming over tonight. Is that why she took it down? She didn't want me to kiss her, again? I wonder if she told the Admiral it was there, hoping he would come and kiss her, again. She sure did react to his kiss in the office. It'll be just my luck that now when I'm finally ready to go to the next level with Mac, she doesn't want me. Sure feels that way, too. Damn, I knew I'd wait too long.'
AJ's thoughts went back to Mac's words on the phone the other night. "I wanted to be sure it was up in case a certain sailor showed up," she had said. 'But tonight she said that only Admirals were sailors... anyone below that was just a squid. Was she wanting me to show up that night? She did respond well to my kiss in the office... Did she hang the mistletoe in her apartment for me? No... couldn't be. You're imagining things, Chegwidden.'
Saturday, 15 December 2001
1045 EST
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland
AJ could hear Mac arguing with the doctor when he arrived. Rather than going in her room, he headed to the waiting room and found Harm sitting there. "Sounds like Mac is giving Dietrich a hard time," AJ said, motioning for Harm to keep his seat.
"Yes, Sir. He wants to keep her another day. She wants to go home."
"Did he say why he wants to keep her?" AJ asked with concern.
"Evidently they had some trouble waking her up several times last night," Harm explained.
AJ turned and headed straight for her room. He knocked and walked inside before anyone acknowledged his knock. "Commander, I understand you want Colonel MacKenzie to stay here for another day?"
"Good morning, Admiral," Dietrich said.
"Sir, there's absolutely no reason for me to have to stay here another..." Mac started.
AJ interrupted her, "You're not a doctor, Colonel. Commander Dietrich is. I don't expect him to practice law; I don't expect you to practice medicine. You will do as the doctor orders. Consider his instructions direct orders from me, if you must. But you will obey them. Is that understood, Colonel?"
Mac looked down at her hands while he was talking. When he finished, she looked straight in his eyes. "Understood, Admiral," she said softly.
"Good. Now, Commander. One more day? Two? How many are we looking at here?" AJ asked.
The doctor replied, "Assuming we don't have a repeat of last night, I'll discharge her tomorrow. But I understand she lives alone. That won't do, Admiral. She will have to stay with someone or someone stay at her place with her. I don't want her alone for at least 4 days after she leaves here."
Mac started to object, but AJ turned and glared at her. She hushed immediately. "Looks like you have a choice to make, Mac. You can stay at your place if you have someone who can come stay with you. I'm sure Harm would, except that he's leaving tomorrow on the Avery case. Anyone else you could ask?" Mac shook her head, her eyes lowered. AJ could tell she was almost in tears. He hated speaking to her so roughly, but he knew her too well. If he didn't do this, she wouldn't take care of herself, and who knows what would happen. "The other choice is staying with someone else. I'm sure Bud & Harriett would be happy to have you..."
"No, Sir," Mac said quickly. He looked at her questioningly. "Bud's father and Mikey arrive today, Sir. They'll be there through Christmas."
"Then you'll stay with me," AJ said flatly. "Doctor, I assume there will be instructions on her care?"
"Nothing special. Just make sure she's alert; she can go out, do things, even go to work. Probably be better if she didn't drive for a few days, though. I'll want you to wake her a couple of times during the night the first couple of nights."
Mac stared at the Admiral. When she finally found her voice, she said, "With you, Admiral? Sir, I can't stay at your house. It wouldn't be..."
"Francesca arrives tonight, Mac," AJ said as though that solved everything.
"But Sir, I can't intrude on your time with Francesca! You hardly ever see her. It's not fair... to either of you."
"Mac..."
"Please, Admiral, I'll find another way. Maybe Lauren will come to my apartment..."
"Lieutenant Singer? You'd rather have Singer stay with you than stay at my place?" he asked incredulously.
Doctor Dietrich decided it was time for him to step outside and let the Admiral argue with his officer privately. He was amazed that the Admiral had offered for Mac to stay with him. Even more so when he learned that the Admiral had a girlfriend coming to stay and he still wanted the Colonel to come.
"Of course not, Admiral. But I just can't intrude on..."
AJ sat on the edge of Mac's bed and took her hands in his. "Mac, if my daughter found out that I allowed you to go home and have Singer stay with you for 4 days instead of bringing you home to us, she would... Damn, I don't know what she'd do. But she'd have my hide. Francesca asks about you every time we talk, Mac. She likes you. She won't be at all upset or annoyed or... anything... that you're there. She'll probably be happy for the female company. Mine gets boring after a while."
"I can't believe that, Sir," Mac said softly, not looking up.
AJ raised one hand to her chin and lifted it up. She raised her eyes to his. "Mac, please? Come and stay with us. If you get a better offer in the meantime, that's fine. Take it. But for now, plan on coming home with us tomorrow."
"Chloe will have a hey-day with this, you know," Mac said. AJ smiled; he knew she was agreeing.
As AJ left the room, he stopped by the waiting room to talk to Harm and Dietrich. "She'll go home with me tomorrow."
"But Sir, what about Francesca?"
AJ chuckled. "Harm, my daughter would have a fit if she found out I didn't bring Mac home. Believe me, they'll have a grand time together."
Dietrich shook his head as he walked away. Another surprise from this Admiral. It was his daughter, not a girlfriend.
"Sir, I could put the Avery case on hold for a few days," Harm tried.
"You could, but that would back everything else up right into Christmas. And I'd rather not have anyone at the office on Christmas day. Mac will be fine with Francesca and me."
Saturday, 15 December 2001
2045 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
AJ and Francesca had stopped on the way from Dulles to grab some dinner. He still hadn't told her that Mac would be staying with them. After he told Mac and Harm how delighted his daughter would be with Mac's staying with them, he was surprised when one of Francesca's first comments upon arriving was, "I'm so glad to be here, Papa. I've been looking forward to this time alone with you. I've missed you so much; I don't want to share a minute of our time!"
AJ had countered with, "I did ask some of my people over for dinner on Sunday evening before Christmas, Darlin'. I hope you don't mind; I thought you'd enjoy it."
Francesca had smiled and said, "I suppose I can share you for one evening out of my 2 weeks, Papa."
Now that they'd arrived at the house, AJ wasn't quite sure how to broach the subject of Mac's coming here. He went back out to his vehicle to retrieve the last of Francesca's luggage when the phone rang. Francesca picked it up, "Chegwidden residence."
"Francesca? This is Sarah MacKenzie."
"Mac! Wonderful to talk to you. How are you?" Francesca asked, not knowing about Mac's accident or that she was in the hospital.
"Well, if the doctor would let me go home, I'd be doing just fine," Mac replied, thinking that the Admiral had surely already told her.
"The doctor? What is it, Mac? Are you sick?"
Mac's heart sank in her chest. 'He hasn't told her. Oh God, this is such a mess...' Mac said, "I had a little accident last night... fell getting out of the bathtub, of all things. And I ended up with a concussion. The doctor's keeping me over for a second night, and he won't let me stay by myself when I do leave the hospital tomorrow. IF I leave here tomorrow, I should say."
"Where will you go? To Harms'?" Francesca asked innocently.
"Harm's out of town," Mac replied, not wanting to tell her that she was supposed to be going home with the Admiral.
"Mac, I have an idea. How about if you come here? You can stay with me and Papa. I will have to ask him, but I am sure he will agree when he knows that you are hurt."
"Actually, Francesca..." Mac started to tell her the truth.
"I know about your rules and regulations. But if I am here, and you are my guest and I am the one looking after you, surely there could not be anything said. No?"
AJ had walked into the house and heard this last from his daughter. "Francesca, who are you talking to?" he asked.
She turned to him. "It is your Mac, Papa." AJ smiled to himself when Francesca called her "your Mac". He liked the sound of that. She continued, "She fell yesterday and has a concussion. She is in the hospital, and the doctor insists that she must stay with someone when he discharges her tomorrow."
"Yes, I know, Francesca," AJ answered.
Francesca looked at him questioningly. "You know?" He nodded. "Do you also know that Harm is gone, and she has no one to stay with?" He nodded, again. "Then may she stay here with us, Papa?"
AJ smiled. "Actually, Darlin', that's already the plan."
Francesca smiled at her father. She spoke back into the receiver. "Mac! Why didn't you tell me that you were coming here?"
Mac chuckled. "I wasn't sure but that your father came to his senses and decided against it, Francesca."
"Don't be silly. Of course you will come here. You and I will have a wonderful time picking on Papa!" she laughed. When they hung up, Francesca hugged AJ. "Why didn't you say something?"
"I wasn't sure how to tell you... after you talked about wanting to be alone..."
"Oh, Papa. It is true; I do not want to share you. But if I must, there is no one I would rather share you with than Mac."
AJ laid a kiss on Francesca's forehead. "Thank you, Darlin'. It'll only be a few days."
Sunday, 16 December 2001
1715 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
Mac and Francesca were sitting on the bed in the guest room talking. "You mean you were just getting out of the bathtub when you fell? Oh my God, then you were..." Francesca was saying.
Mac nodded. "Uh huh. Naked as a jay bird! Harm found me that way. He said one leg was still draped over the tub and the other was underneath me. Can you just imagine the sight that greeting him when he walked in that bathroom!?" Mac laughed.
"Poor Harm!" Francesca said, trying to talk through her own laughter. "Did he tell you anything more?"
Mac shook her head. "It was like pulling teeth to get that much out of him! He was so embarrassed. It's not like he hasn't seen a naked woman before, though," Mac giggled.
"But you, Mac? Had he seen you before?" giggled Francesca.
Mac shook her head but didn't answer the question verbally. "At least he covered me with a towel before the paramedics arrived," she said. The women dissolved into laughter.
AJ had heard the last bit of their conversation as he walked across the living room. He wished he knew how Mac had answered that last question. From their laughter, he assumed it was in the positive. "Well, ladies? What would you like to do about dinner this evening? Are we dining out? Cooking? Calling for pizza? What's your pleasure?" AJ asked as he walked into the bedroom.
Francesca piped up immediately. "Papa, Mac will need a few things from her apartment while she is here with us. Why don't we go out for dinner and then stop by her place on the way back?"
"Works for me," AJ replied. "Mac?"
Mac smiled. "That would be wonderful. Thank you, Admiral."
"Mac, while you're staying in my home, it's 'AJ'."
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Sir?" she asked quietly.
AJ hesitated. "Probably not. But it's my home. And it's what I'd prefer."
Mac smiled shyly. "Very well... AJ."
Sunday, 16 December 2001
2015 EST
Army and Navy Club
Farragut Square, Washington, DC
AJ, Francesca, and Mac enjoyed their meal at the Club. It was especially nice on Sunday evenings when no one was in uniform. AJ was able to relax and not worry so much about protocol. Mac even seemed more comfortable than usual in his presence. "Anyone for dessert?" the young woman asked who had served their table.
"Do you have any chocolate cake?" asked AJ.
"I believe we do, Sir. I'll go check," she replied as she scurried away.
"Papa, when did you start eating so many sweets? You had brownies last night, cookies at noon, and now chocolate cake?" Francesca mentioned.
AJ chuckled. "I think it goes back to the movie set, 'Field of Gold'. They had snacks on the set all day, and I found myself enjoying them."
"But you were only on the set for, what... 3 days, Sir?" chuckled Mac. AJ nodded. "First day back at the office, though, he told Harriett he wanted food in the break room," Mac told Francesca. "He was scrounging through the cabinets, trying to find something to eat!"
"I can't believe we never had food in there before," mumbled AJ. "What's a break room for if not to have food?" he smirked.
"Just don't get fat, Papa."
"I don't think he has to worry about that, Francesca. Your father doesn't have an ounce of excess fat on his entire body..." Mac said before she realized exactly what she was saying. Suddenly she blushed profusely and turned to AJ. "Oh, Sir. I am so sorry. I..."
AJ was smiling. "Hell, I'm not! Thank you, Mac," he laughed. Francesca joined his laughter, and finally Mac saw the humor in it, and laughed, too.
When they finished their dessert, they headed for Mac's apartment. As Mac opened the front door, the smell of pizza permeated the room. "Ohhh," Mac complained.
"Well, I guess Harm didn't stay here Friday night after all," said AJ as he found the offending pizza box and took it outside to the dumpster. When he returned, he heard Mac and Francesca laughing. "Where are you?" he yelled.
"In the bathroom!" Francesca called. AJ walked through the bedroom and stopped at the bathroom doorway. "My God, Mac. That's the tub you fell out of? You shouldn't even get in that thing without someone else. It's too big; you could get lost in there!" Francesca laughed.
"Mic never liked baths, so he never shared it with me. Dalton did once, but that's all. Funny how men don't like taking baths. Sure would be nice to share it with..." Mac stopped as she realized what she was about to say and to whom. She looked up to see Francesca grinning and AJ standing in the doorway, frowning.
"Harm might like it, Mac. Not all men dislike baths, especially with a beautiful woman between their legs," he said as he turned and went back to the living room.
Mac was shocked that AJ suggested Harm. "But I wasn't thinking of Harm," she whispered to herself. Francesca pretended not to hear her.
Mac and Francesca quickly got Mac's things together. "Francesca, my panties are in the top left drawer in the dresser. Would you grab some for me, please?"
"But of course," Francesca agreed. She opened the drawer and immediately saw the sprig of mistletoe on top of the underwear. "Mac? Do you always keep mistletoe in your panties drawer?"
"Oh! I forgot I put it there. I took it down Friday when I got home. Didn't want Harm to get any ideas," Mac intoned, just loud enough for AJ to hear her in the next room.
"Let's take it with us and hang it up, shall we? Papa mentioned a dinner party next week; we should decorate the house, don't you think? This will help."
Mac smiled. "If you want to take it, that's fine."
Sunday, 16 December 2001
2255 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
"Mac, remember that I'll be waking you up a couple of times tonight to check on you," AJ said as he bid the women good night.
"That really isn't necessary, Sir. I'm fine, really," replied Mac.
AJ looked at her. "Nevertheless, I'll be waking you a couple of times. So don't try to kill me, okay?" he smirked.
Mac smiled. "I'll try to remember that."
Several hours later, AJ softly padded into the guest bedroom where his daughter and Mac were sharing the bed. He gently laid his hand on Mac's shoulder. She opened her eyes instantly. "What's your name?" AJ asked.
"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie," she answered sleepily.
"Where are you?"
"Your house."
"Who am I?"
"Admiral AJ Chegwidden."
"What year is this?"
"2001."
"What time is it?" He thought maybe he'd trip her up this time. That internal clock of hers couldn't possibly keep track of time when she was asleep.
"0245."
He shook his head. "How do you do that?" he muttered to himself.
"It's a Marine thing," she replied.
"Go back to sleep, Mac," he chuckled.
"Yes, Sir."
AJ returned to his room and climbed back in bed. He was asleep within minutes. But 2 hours later, he awoke, again. He went back to the guest room. Mac had turned in her sleep. She was now lying on her side and hugging her pillow. He touched her arm lightly. She stirred, but she didn't open her eyes. "Mac?" he whispered. "Mac, wake up, now."
"Hmmm?" she moaned softly.
"I need you to wake up, Mac. Just for a minute. Come on now," he said gently stroking her arm.
Mac hugged the pillow tighter. "Mmmm."
"Mac? What's your name?" AJ asked.
"Sarah," she answered sleepily.
"Where are you?"
"In bed with you."
"Who am I?"
"Mmmm, love you..." Mac purred.
"Mac," AJ said a little louder. "Mac, I need you to wake up now."
"Nice dream... loving you..."
"Mac," AJ pushed Mac over onto her back and used both hands to lightly shake her shoulders. "Mac. Wake up." She was fighting him; she didn't want to wake up. "Mac, wake up."
"Papa? Is something wrong?" Francesca awoke.
"She's not waking up. She was fine two hours ago..." AJ said, beginning to worry. "Mac!" he demanded. "Wake up; that's an order!"
Mac opened her eyes. "What? Oh! Admiral. Sir, I... What?" she saw the concern in his eyes. "What's wrong, AJ?" She looked over at Francesca, then back to AJ.
"I have a few questions for you, Mac. What's your name?"
Mac smiled. "I'm completely awake, Sir."
"You had me going there for a minute this time, Mac. You weren't waking up."
"I was dreaming... I don't think I wanted to wake up," she smiled at Francesca. "It was a very nice dream." She looked back at AJ. He had the strangest expression on his face; she couldn't quite place it. "What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said too quickly. "Go back to sleep, ladies. Good night." AJ went back to his room.
Mac turned to Francesca. "Did I say something in my sleep?" Mac asked nervously. She certainly hoped she'd only dreamed telling AJ that she loved him.
Francesca smiled. "I don't know. I only woke up just before you did. Just as Papa ordered you awake."
"He ordered me to wake up?" Mac giggled.
"Don't laugh! It worked!" AJ yelled from the other room. And the women dissolved into giggles before settling down and going back to sleep.
Monday, 17 December 2001
0800 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
AJ and Mac exited the elevator together and walked into the bullpen. Tiner called out, "Attention on deck!" just as the Admiral barked back, "As you were!"
There weren't many people in the office yet, but the few who were present noticed the quick glance AJ gave Mac before she left his side. "Take it easy today, Mac," he said quietly. She nodded.
During the staff meeting later in the morning, Mac closed her eyes and put her hand to the side of her head. AJ was speaking, but when he saw her movement, he stopped. "Colonel? You still with us?" he asked. She didn't respond, and now the entire room was focused on her. "Mac, answer me," AJ said a little stronger this time. Still nothing. AJ stood up and walked around the table to her chair. He laid one hand on her back and with the other he cupped her head. "Mac," he said gently. She opened her eyes. "Are you in pain?" She nodded slightly. "How bad?"
"Not too bad. I think I just... I need... ooooh..." Mac moaned.
AJ quickly pulled her chair away from the table and picked her up in his arms. "Get the door!" he barked. "Lieutenant Sims, with me!" Bud ran to the door and opened it just as the Admiral reached it. He strode through the bullpen carrying Mac, all activity stopping at the sight. Tiner jumped up and opened the Admiral's office door as they approached.
"Tiner, get the pillow and blanket from the Colonel's office. Chloe used them last week," Bud ordered, as he followed his wife and CO.
AJ laid Mac on the sofa in his office and punched the speakerphone on his desk. "Get me Bethesda Naval Hospital; I want Commander Steven Dietrich on the double!" Within two minutes, Dietrich was on the line and Tiner was there with the blanket and pillow.
"Admiral Chegwidden? This is Commander Dietrich. What's the problem, Sir?"
"Colonel MacKenzie. She's in pain."
"How bad?"
"Severe."
"When did it start?"
Harriett moved aside after covering Mac with the blanket. AJ moved to her side quickly. "Mac?" he said softly, cupping her face with his hand. "Mac, how long has it been hurting?"
"9 minutes and 14 seconds," she answered.
"Almost 10 minutes, Doctor," AJ relayed the information.
"How many times did you wake her last night, and did she have any trouble waking up?"
AJ didn't notice the looks that passed between Bud, Harriett, and Tiner. Bud mouthed to Harriett, "Do you know what's going on?" She shook her head, as did Tiner.
"I woke her twice last night. The first time, she woke up and answered all my questions immediately and correctly. The second time, she fought me. Didn't want to wake up. She was dreaming, I think."
"But she did wake up?"
"Yes." AJ chuckled, "I ordered her awake."
Dietrich laughed outright. "That's a first, Admiral."
"It worked," AJ replied. Mac started to sit up. "Woah... wait a minute, Mac." He knelt in front of the sofa and pushed her back down. "Doctor, she's wanting to sit up."
"That's fine; let her," Dietrich said.
"Okay, Mac. The doctor says you can sit up." AJ helped her to sit and pulled her legs around to the floor. "Slowly now..."
"Admiral, can the Colonel hear me?" Dietrich asked.
"Yes, Doctor, I can hear you," Mac answered.
"Good morning, Mac. Or maybe it's not such a good morning. You're in pain, I understand?"
"It's about gone now," Mac said. "It hit me rather suddenly... in the middle of staff meeting."
"Those always give me a headache, too," Dietrich joked, causing Mac to laugh lightly. "Did that hurt? Laughing?" he asked.
Mac smiled. "No, it didn't hurt. It's fine now. The pain is completely gone."
"Was it the same spot as before, Mac?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, it was."
"Okay; go ahead and fill the prescription I sent home with you yesterday. Take one pill twice a day with food. And finish the bottle, even if the pain doesn't recur. Understood?"
"Yes, Doctor."
"Admiral, you still there?" Dietrich asked.
"Still here."
"I sent a prescription home with her yesterday and told her not to fill it unless I instructed her to. I was hoping she wouldn't need it, but after this..."
"We'll get it filled immediately. Should I take her home and put her to bed?" AJ asked, surprising everyone in the room, yet again.
"Sir, I'm fine. I have work to do," Mac objected. AJ laid his finger to her lips to quiet her.
"Not unless she wants to go home, Admiral. I would like her to get that first pill in the next couple of hours, though. Other than that, she should be fine to continue working. If she has another spell like this one, however, I want her back here," Dietrich said.
"Understood, Doctor. Thank you."
"Call me back if you need to, Admiral."
They hung up and AJ turned to Mac. "Do you have the prescription with you or is at the house?"
"It's in my purse," Mac said.
"Tiner, go get the Colonel's purse," AJ ordered. "Mac, you heard what Dietrich said. If you have another spell like this one, he wants you back at Bethesda. Now I'm going to trust you to let me know if you have another spell. If you don't think you can do that, I'll move you in here to my office and keep you under my thumb. Necessary?"
"No, Sir."
"He also said you could continue working. However, if you get tired, you let me know. And if I'm not here, you tell Harriett. Understood?" Mac nodded. "Mac, I'm serious. This is nothing to be cavalier about."
"Understood, Admiral."
"All right. Now do you think you can continue with the staff meeting, or would you prefer just to go to your office? Or lie down for a while?"
"Staff meeting, Sir. I really did want to get this pile of cases closed out today, and they're all just onesy- twosy- kind of questions for each one," Mac replied.
"Okay. Let's go back then." AJ offered his hand to help Mac stand up. Tiner walked in with Mac's purse and handed it to her. She found the prescription and AJ took it from her, handing it to Tiner. "Get this filled and bring the bottle in to the conference room with a glass of water when you get back."
"Aye, aye, Sir," Tiner replied. "Any preference of pharmacy, Ma'am?" he asked.
Mac shook her head. "Anywhere is fine, Tiner. Thanks."
They all went back to the conference room. AJ began speaking as they took their seats. "Before we get started, again, I think an explanation is in order. You care to give it, Colonel? Or shall I?"
Mac looked around the room at her friends, then back at the Admiral, and sighed. "I fell on Friday night and ended up with a mild concussion..."
"More than mild, Mac," AJ muttered.
She glanced over at him and continued, "I spent the weekend in the hospital, and now I'm under supervision at the Admiral's house for three nights."
"Four nights," AJ corrected her.
"Three more nights. Last night was the first of four," Mac retorted.
"Admiral, I'll be glad to have the Colonel stay with me, Sir," offered Lauren Singer with a sly smile. "Then there wouldn't be any..."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. We actually did consider calling you this weekend. But since my daughter is already here for the Christmas holiday, Francesca was delighted to take care of Mac. In fact," he glanced over at Mac and grinned, "they were giggling like school girls last night. I thought they'd never go to sleep."
"We could invite Lauren and Harriett tonight and have a real slumber party, Sir!" Mac teased.
"God help me!" AJ groaned as everyone at the table laughed. "Okay, people, let's get back to work."
When they finished the staff meeting, it was almost time for lunch. "Colonel, I didn't see your vehicle in the lot this morning," observed Sturgis.
"The doctor won't let me drive for a couple of days. I rode in with the Admiral," she said.
"Can I interest you in joining me for some lunch?" Sturgis asked.
"That would be very nice, Commander, thank you," Mac replied as she went to her office to get her purse.
"Colonel, Bud and I are going down to the new deli on the corner. Would you like to join us or can we bring something back for you?" asked Harriett.
Sturgis walked in just as Harriett finished speaking. "Actually, the Colonel agreed to join me for lunch today," he said. Then he added conspiratorially, "I think we're all wanting more details about this fall of hers."
Harriett laughed. "You're right there, Sir!"
Mac smiled. "Okay, okay. I tell you what... Why don't we all go to the new deli, and I'll tell you what happened. It really isn't that exciting."
