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Author: Ava Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary: AJ's goddaughter needs a counselor, and Nurse Grace does more than counsel AJ. Author's comments: Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text'). |
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Thursday, 7 February 2002
1445 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Commander Harmon Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie stood in the bullpen discussing their latest case. Harm was the first to notice the very attractive woman exit the elevator and walk through the double doors into the JAG Ops bullpen. Harm was still watching her as she stopped at the Marine guard's desk to show her visitor's badge and ask for directions.
Mac followed Harm's gaze and chuckled, "Harm, put your eyeballs back in their sockets where they belong."
"Huh? What?" he jerked his attention back to Mac. "What'd you say, Mac?" She grinned at him but didn't repeat herself. "What? I was thinking about something else; I didn't hear you. What'd you say?" he asked, again.
Mac laughed. "Harm, you're priceless!" She headed for her office, shaking her head.
Just before Mac reached her door, the woman turned and said, "Colonel MacKenzie?"
Mac looked up. "Yes, I'm Colonel MacKenzie. Can I help you?"
"Actually, I'm looking for AJ Chegwidden, but the guard said I'd need to speak with you first."
Mac raised her eyebrow at the guard. He nodded. "I see. Well, if you'll come into my office, you can tell me what it is you need from the Admiral, and I'll see what I can..."
"It's a personal matter, Colonel. Regarding his daughter."
"His daughter?"
"Yes. Lisa."
"Lisa?" asked Mac. "The Admiral doesn't have a daughter named Lisa."
The woman smiled indulgently; evidently the Admiral has a private life that his people don't know about. "Perhaps it would be best if I just spoke with Admiral Chegwidden directly?"
Mac nodded. "Just a moment, please."
As she picked up the phone to buzz Tiner, she saw the Admiral entering the bullpen and heard the guard call "Attention on Deck!" Unfortunately, so did the woman. She was up and out of Mac's office in a flash.
"Excuse me. Are you AJ Chegwidden?" she said loudly behind him.
The Admiral turned around at the loud voice and was surprised to see the lovely woman standing there. 'Red hair, probably half way down her back... green eyes... gorgeous complexion... knows how to properly wear makeup... and God! that figure!' AJ's expression did nothing to give away his thoughts. "I am," he replied to her question.
"I'm Grace Evans," she said sticking her hand out.
AJ looked down at it and finally stretched his out to take her hand and shake it. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your acquaintance, Ms. Evans?" he asked formally.
"I'm Grace Evans," she repeated.
AJ grinned, "Yes, I caught that. Grace Evans. Nice to meet you." Grace looked expectantly at him. "Ms. Evans, you are looking at me like I ought to know you. Or at least ought to know your name. I'm sorry, but I don't recognize either you or your name. Should I?"
She looked him in the eye and said testily, "I don't know why you would. You have yet to show your face in my office." AJ looked startled. "Which is why I'm here."
He nodded slowly. "Ms. Evans, why exactly are you here? Who are you?"
Grace sighed heavily. "No wonder Lisa has problems," she muttered under her breath. 'No, Grace...calm down. Don't let your red-headed temper get the better of you.'
"I beg your pardon; Lisa?" AJ asked.
"Lisa. Yes. Lisa. As in your daughter, Lisa!" she exclaimed.
"My daughter, Lisa?" The light was beginning to dawn. 'Uh oh. What is that girl up to now?'
"Admiral, you were expected in my office with your daughter three weeks ago. Then two weeks ago. And last week. And again this morning. Every time, you've called to cancel the appointment."
"Have I?" he questioned.
"Admiral, you may be a very important man in the United States Navy and I understand that your work takes up a lot of your time, but your daughter needs help. And she's not going to get it if you keep canceling our appointments. And these counseling sessions are not voluntary; they were mandated by the court. Considering your position here, I would think..."
AJ lifted his head and cleared his throat. "Ms. Evans, if you would please join me in my office, I'll call Lisa right now and we'll see about getting a time scheduled that we don't cancel."
Grace nodded and followed the Admiral, feeling triumphant. The others in the bullpen looked back and forth at each other. Several even dared to whisper, "Lisa? He has a daughter named Lisa?" "And she lives locally?" "Why have we never heard about her?" "Who the hell is her mother?"
AJ stopped at Tiner's desk. "Tiner, get me Captain Rossbach of the USS Akron. Put her through ASAP."
"Aye, aye, Sir," replied Tiner. 'A female Captain? Could she be Lisa's mother? Oh my God! You don't suppose...?'
AJ followed Grace into his office and indicated for her to take a seat. He reached for the phone and began dialing. "Admiral, I don't want you to think that..." Grace began.
AJ held up a finger, "If you'll hold that thought for just a moment, Ms. Evans?" he said as the phone began to ring on the other end.
"Hello?" a young voice answered.
"Hello, Darlin'," AJ drawled.
"Uncle AJ!! Hello! How are you! It's so good to hear from you."
"Lisa, how would you like to come and have dinner with me this evening? Stay the weekend?" AJ suggested.
"I'd love it!! Really, I would. But I can't stay for the whole weekend. I promised my aunt that I'd babysit on Saturday afternoon. I can stay tomorrow, though. What time should I be there?" Lisa asked.
"Meet me at the house at 1730."
"Wonderful! I'll be there. Can't wait to see you, Uncle AJ. There's so much I want talk to you about."
"Lisa, you can always call me if you have things you want to talk about. You know that," AJ said.
"I know, but after all the trouble I gave you in October, I guess I was a little afraid you wouldn't want to see me much anymore."
AJ turned to look out the window. "Lisa. I love you. That will never change. And you're a teenager; you're supposed to be trouble. I keep forgetting that." He enjoyed hearing Lisa's lilting laughter come over the wire. "I'll see you this evening, Darlin'."
"Bye, Uncle AJ."
AJ hung up the receiver and turned around to see Grace smiling at him. 'Damn, this woman is gorgeous! Focus, Chegwidden. Focus.' He buzzed his yeoman. "Tiner, get me a table for three at 1800 this evening at Callisto's."
"Aye, aye, Sir," Tiner responded quickly.
AJ looked directly at Grace. "Lisa will be here at 1730; we'll dine at Callisto's at 1800. Would you prefer to meet us there or shall we pick you up?"
Grace's mouth dropped open. "I beg your pardon?" she gasped.
AJ repeated himself. "Lisa will be here at 1730... that's 5:30 to you. We'll dine at Callisto's at 1800... that's a little Italian place that I enjoy... oh, and 6:00 your time. Would you prefer to meet Lisa and me at the restaurant? Or would you rather we pick you up at your place?"
Grace shook her head. "No! I wouldn't prefer... Admiral! This is very irregular..."
AJ smiled indulgently. At Tiner's knock on the door, he called out, "Enter!"
"Excuse me, Admiral," interrupted Tiner. "Captain Rossbach is on Line 1, Sir."
AJ picked up the receiver and punched Line 1. "Meryl? AJ."
"AJ! This is a surprise. Is something wrong?"
"Has Lisa been in any trouble lately?" he asked.
"Yes, AJ, she has. She's been hanging out with some bad kids and she was arrested back in December. Drugs."
AJ sighed heavily. "Our little Lisa?"
"I'm afraid so. They let her off easily, but they did mandate that she go for counseling. She sees the counselor every week and says that it's doing her a world of good."
"She was lucky. And you know that she's seeing this counselor?"
"Oh, yes. She tells me all about their sessions. She really likes her."
"Who's the counselor?"
"A woman named Grace Evans."
AJ looked at Grace. "Has Lisa ever described her to you?"
Meryl chuckled. "Yes, she has. Evidently the woman isn't much to look at, but she's very pleasant to talk to."
"Not much to look at, though, huh?" AJ repeated, grinning.
"According to Lisa, she's old... of course, with Lisa, that just means she's over 30. She has black hair with gray roots showing all the time, a ruddy complexion, and coffee stains on her teeth. Why are you asking?"
AJ started laughing. "I'll tell you later, Meryl. I have to go."
"AJ, is something wrong?"
"I'll call you tomorrow, Meryl. Nothing to worry about," he replied and hung up. Coming around from behind his desk, AJ turned his attention back to Grace. He looked her up and down, grinning the whole time.
"What are you looking at?" she asked nervously.
"An old woman with black hair and gray roots who has a ruddy complexion and coffee stains on her teeth," AJ replied seriously crossing his arms in front of him.
"What!?" she exclaimed.
AJ broke into a grin as he leaned back against his desk in front of Grace. "Well, you do have to understand that to a teenager, anyone over 30 is old."
"Gray roots! And I don't have coffee stains on my teeth!" Grace was mortified.
"I wouldn't know," AJ quipped, pushing himself away from the desk. "I haven't seen them up close... yet." He looked down at Grace and smiled.
Grace gulped. 'Yet? Oh God... this man is...' AJ stood directly in front of Grace. If she stood up now, she'd be in his arms. 'That would be a little too obvious, Grace, ol' girl.' Grace finally got her wits about her and said, "I take it she described me to her mother?"
AJ smiled. "Yes, she did. Along with your counseling sessions. And I take it she's never actually met you." AJ backed up and sat in the chair next to her.
Grace smiled back. "No, she hasn't. I'm beginning to get the feeling that you didn't cancel our appointments, Admiral."
"You're right, I didn't. I didn't even know we had appointments."
"I don't understand; how could you not know that your daughter was in trouble..."
"Ms. Evans, let me clear up a couple of things for you. First, I have only one daughter. Her name is Francesca. She's 28 and she lives in Italy. Lisa is not my daughter. She is my goddaughter. She lives with her aunt. Her mother captains the USS Akron."
"And her father?"
"Dan died in 1999," AJ told her. "That's when Lisa started having a few problems. They've gotten gradually worse each year. I had no idea she'd do something as foolish as drugs. She's always seemed more sensible than that." AJ thought back to October when she wanted to meet a boy late at night. 'Then again, maybe not so sensible...'
"I don't understand how this could have gotten so misconstrued," Grace said, shaking her head.
"Lisa is very... resourceful. She most likely called your office to set up the first appointment so that you wouldn't call her house and get her aunt. I am surprised, though, that the court didn't send you anything about her."
"They did. I never read their reports," she said.
"What? You never..."
"Never even open the files. I get the name and phone number off the front and go from there. I don't want to be prejudiced against someone because of something I read in a report that may or may not be true," explained Grace. "This is the first time that I've encountered a problem like this because of working that way."
"Lisa is a bright girl. But her father's death really took its toll on her. She was very close to him, and she misses him. A lot."
"Does she see you as a substitute father?" Grace asked. "Perhaps want her mother and you to get together?"
AJ shook his head. "Not that I'm aware of. I don't see her that often... twice or three times a year is about all."
Grace nodded. "I wonder why she gave your name as her father when she called my office?"
"We'll have to ask her that at dinner, won't we?" AJ grinned.
"Admiral, I can't go to dinner with..."
"It's AJ. And sure you can. In fact, I think the best way to play this is not to tell Lisa your name until she's warmed up to you," mused AJ.
"And how do you know she'll warm up to me?" Grace was intrigued.
"Oh, she will, Ms. Evans. You don't look anything like she described."
"I don't know, AJ. It seems rather unethical for me to..."
"Nothing unethical about it. You're just having dinner with us to break the ice with Lisa. She's not my daughter, so where's the problem?"
Grace sighed. "Okay, I'll join you... and it's Grace... please. What kind of place is Callisto's?"
"Italian."
She smiled. "I meant attire, AJ."
AJ smiled as he stood up and took Grace's hands in his, pulling her up in front of him and moving his hands to her shoulders. "Wear a dress. And I'd be especially grateful if you wear something that..." he ran his hands down the length of her arms, "accentuates..." his dark eyes roamed over her body, "your lovely figure." AJ took her hands in his and squeezed them. What he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and kiss the breath right out of her. 'Later, Chegwidden. Don't frighten her away.'
Grace was held spellbound by AJ's intense gaze. She finally found her voice, "I think I can manage that." She was surprised that her voice actually sounded normal and not strained.
AJ released her hands and slipped his arm around her waist steering her toward the door. As they walked through the bullpen, AJ said, "So I'll see you this evening, Grace. 1800 at Callisto's. You're sure I can't pick you up?"
"I think it's better if I just meet you there, AJ. Thank you for offering, though."
They exited the bullpen and waited for the elevator to arrive. Back inside the bullpen, Harm looked at Mac. "Did you hear that? They have a date for tonight?"
"That's what it sounded like to me, Flyboy," Mac replied with a huge grin.
"Gosh, the Admiral is a fast worker!" said Lieutenant Bud Roberts.
"I'll say! And she was really peeved with him when they went in his office," reminded Harm.
"Maybe he could give you a few tips, Harm," teased Commander Sturgis Turner.
Harm glared at his old friend. Mac just laughed and nodded her head.
"I'm just surprised, that's all," said Harm.
"Why are you surprised, Commander?" asked Lieutenant Harriett Sims. "It absolutely amazes me that men don't see AJ Chegwidden for the man that he is. All they see is the Admiral."
Bud looked at his wife. "What do you mean, Harriett?"
"Bud, you always tell me how you'd like to be more like Commander Rabb. Be more handsome like him, suave, that sort of thing. You're not alone; I've heard other guys say the same thing... talk about his killer smile and all."
"Don't let this go to your head, Harm," said Sturgis.
Harm grinned. Mac quipped, "Too late!"
Harriett continued, "But I've never heard anyone say they'd like to be more like the Admiral... well, except as it relates to JAG. But not as a man."
"Harriett, he's over 50 and he's bald," reminded Bud.
"He certainly is," she replied dreamily.
"Harriett!" scolded her husband.
"You'd be surprised how many women find a bald man more handsome than someone with a head full of hair. It draws the attention to his eyes. And what eyes he has..." Harriett's voice drifted off.
"Oh, come now! You can't say something like that and not finish the thought, Lieutenant," said Sturgis.
Mac grinned. "AJ Chegwidden is one of the most eligible bachelors in DC. He's a lot higher on the list than you are, Harm."
Harm, Sturgis, and Bud looked at each other in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding," said Harm.
"He's also one of the most handsome men in DC," stated Harriett.
"Hell, Harriett. AJ Chegwidden is one of the most handsome men in the world!" said Lieutenant Lauren Singer as she approached the little gathering of officers.
"Well, Lauren!" exclaimed Mac. "We finally agree on something!" And all three women dissolved in giggles.
The men looked on, not knowing what to think. "Are you telling me that you'd go out with the Admiral if he asked you?" asked Harm of Mac.
Mac sobered instantly. "Of course not, Harm. He's my CO. That doesn't mean, however, that I can't appreciate the view. There's no regulation about that," she grinned.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing!" said Sturgis. "You're talking about a two-star Admiral."
"Who is also a man, Commander," said Lauren.
"And what a man," sighed Harriett.
"An incredibly sexy man," Lauren added.
After seeing Grace out to her car, AJ rode the elevator back upstairs. As he entered the bullpen, all conversation ceased. He stopped midstride and looked around. All eyes were on him. "What?" he barked. Then he grinned. "Do I have lipstick on my collar or something?" He chuckled and walked into his office. 'Damn well wish I did have her lipstick on my collar... better still on my mouth... Soon...'
"Lipstick on his collar?" croaked Harm.
"Oh my God!" said Bud.
The three women just smiled at each other as they dispersed and went back to work.
"Wait a minute," said Harm, following Mac into her office. "What about this daughter named Lisa?"
Thursday, 7 February 2002
1800 EST
Callisto's
McLean, Virginia
"Admiral Chegwidden! So wonderful to see you, again, Sir," gushed the hostess as AJ and Lisa entered the small restaurant. "I have your table ready for you, and I'll tell Vinny to put your order in right away."
They followed the hostess to the table and AJ held Lisa's chair for her as she sat. "Thank you, Uncle AJ," Lisa smiled feeling very grown-up. "Did I hear her say you already ordered?" AJ nodded. "But there's a third place set...?"
"I asked a lady friend to join us; I hope you don't mind, Darlin'."
Lisa looked surprised but not upset. "Of course not, Uncle AJ. A lady friend? Do tell!"
AJ chuckled. "I think you'll like her. You still like red hair?"
Lisa laughed. "No! I do not want red hair anymore!" They laughed together as both remembered the stunt Lisa pulled two years ago.
"Should I go back home and change wigs?" said a lilting voice at AJ's elbow.
AJ stood up immediately and took Grace's hands in his. "I'm so glad you were able to join us this evening." He took in Grace's appearance and was very pleased. She had done as he asked and wore a very sexy green dress that emphasized her figure. He held the chair to his left and Grace took her seat.
"Hi, I'm Lisa."
"Pleased to meet you, Lisa," Grace said. "I'm..."
AJ didn't want Lisa to know Grace's name just yet. She was a smart girl; she'd probably figure out that this was not just any 'Grace', but Grace Evans... her supposed counselor. So he interrupted Grace. "...wearing a wig?" AJ said quickly. "Did you say you would go change your wig?"
Grace realized immediately what he was doing and why. 'This man is quick!' "Sure! I have a whole rainbow of colors. Blonde, brunette, red, black, orange, green..."
Lisa started giggling and AJ laughed. "Green?" "Orange?" they said at the same time.
"So what color is your real hair?" asked Lisa.
Grace grinned. "Purple. I'm from the planet Venus; we all have purple hair there. Very boring when everyone has the same color. That's why I like wigs," she said this in all seriousness, which made Lisa giggle even more. "I don't think she believes me, AJ."
"God, I hope not!" AJ laughed. Grace joined in the laughter. "Okay, so truthfully. What color is your hair?"
"This color," she said pulling a loose strand from behind her shoulders. "Auburn. This is actually my hair. No wig. They're too hot!"
"That's the color I was trying for, Uncle AJ," said Lisa. "It's such a beautiful red, don't you think?"
AJ smiled at Grace. "Oh yes. Very beautiful." But he wasn't talking about hair color.
Grace flushed under his intense gaze. "Trying for? What do you mean?" asked Grace, turning her attention fully on Lisa.
"A couple of years ago I tried to dye my hair. I went to the beauty supply store and looked at the hair samples and found just the one I wanted. But when I opened the bottle to be sure it was the right color inside, it wasn't. It was really pale, not even pink."
"Uh oh," said Grace, knowing what was coming. AJ nodded.
"So I went through the shelf and opened all the bottles until I found the one that was the closest to the color I wanted. I read the directions and followed them as best as I could, but they used some words I didn't understand. Beauty terms, you know? Well, when I washed the color out of my hair, it was almost black. You know that really horrid blue black that some women wear? So obvious that it's colored? That was me!"
Grace and AJ were laughing with Lisa. "Tell her what you did next, Darlin'," AJ said.
"I went back to the beauty supply store and tried, again. I decided that maybe the hair samples were right after all. So I picked up the bottle from behind the sample that I liked. I didn't check it or anything to be sure it was in the right place. Well, it wasn't. Turns out it should have been with the blonde hair sample."
"Oh no!" cried Grace.
"Oh yes!" retorted AJ.
"I'm afraid so. I put the new color on my hair and waited. When I washed it out, my hair was almost green!" remembered Lisa.
"You poor thing," laughed Grace. "How did you ever get it all out?"
"I was so embarrassed by it, that I hopped a bus and came here to McLean. I was sitting on Uncle AJ's doorstep sobbing when he got home from work that day. I just knew he wouldn't laugh at me," she said looking right at AJ and sticking her tongue out at him.
"Darlin', I'm sorry," he laughed. "But you looked so... ridiculous!"
"I take it, you laughed?" Grace asked.
"Laughed?" said Lisa. "No, he didn't laugh. He roared! He almost fell over backwards laughing so hard!"
"AJ, you didn't!"
AJ nodded his head sheepishly. "I'm afraid I did."
"I couldn't believe it. I was heartbroken. He was laughing at me! So I got up and started to run away. I didn't know where I was going to go, but I had to get away from his laughter."
"As soon as I realized what she was doing, I grabbed her and took her inside the house," AJ said.
"I told him the whole story, and he was very understanding. He didn't laugh anymore... well, until I was able to laugh about it with him," said Lisa.
"How'd you get the color out?" asked Grace.
"Uncle AJ called his girlfriend and asked where he should take me. She told him which hairdresser she used, and he called her. She was booked solid and couldn't take me for a whole week! So Uncle AJ offered her $1000 to stay late that night and fix my hair. She did." Lisa turned loving eyes on AJ. "And I never really thanked you, did I? I'm sorry, Uncle AJ. It really did mean a lot to me that you helped me. Thank you." Lisa got up and bent over AJ hugging him tightly.
AJ wrapped his arms around his goddaughter and caressed her back. As she pulled away, he said quietly, "You weren't supposed to know about that. How'd you find out?"
Lisa had tears in her eyes as she said, "Mom told me last October when she came home. I had complained about you and said you didn't really love me and you wouldn't do anything for me and how you betrayed me and... Well, she told me what you did. She told me a lot of other things, too. How you helped her in her career and never told her. How you were there for her when Daddy died. She even told me that you paid for everything when I was born because they didn't have any money."
Grace was listening intently but not making a sound. She was learning a lot about this incredibly handsome man.
"She shouldn't have told you all that," AJ said as he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm glad she did."
AJ smiled slightly. "I'm glad I was able to help."
"Uncle AJ, I did something stupid in December," Lisa said, forgetting about Grace's being there with them.
"What was that, Darlin'?" AJ thought, 'Ah, here it comes!'
"I went to a party with some friends from school. They were doing drugs. I know how... stupid... it is to do drugs, but they kept on me... and I finally caved in. It was my fault, I know that. But I..."
"What kind of drugs were they?" AJ asked.
"I don't even know."
"Were they pills? Or in a syringe?" he asked.
"Pills. And a joint. I smoked a joint, too," she confessed.
"How many pills, Darlin'?"
"I don't remember. I only took one at first... just so they'd quit making fun of me. But then, it went down so easily. And I didn't feel any different... so I thought maybe it wouldn't affect me. So I took some more. And then I smoked the joint."
"Sweetheart, pills take a while to get into your system. You wouldn't feel their effect immediately. Anymore than you do an aspirin."
"I know that, Uncle AJ. I just didn't think about it then. Anyway, I must have passed out, because I woke up in jail. The police raided the party... I guess it got kinda loud, and a neighbor called the police."
"Why didn't you call me?" he asked gently.
"I didn't want you to be disappointed in me... again." Lisa hugged him and left her head against his neck. "Not after what Mom had just told me in October. I just couldn't..."
"So, what happened?"
"I was let off pretty easy. I told the judge it was my first time, but he didn't believe me. Not until a couple of the other kids told him that it really was my first time... and that I hadn't really wanted to do it. Considering who the kids were... they get in trouble all the time... the judge decided to believe them. They don't usually stick up for anyone but themselves. So all I have to do is go for counseling once a week."
"And?"
"I haven't been yet. I told Mom that I'm going. But I just... I didn't want..." Lisa's tears spilled down her face. "Uncle AJ, would you go with me? Please?"
"Of course I will, Darlin', if that's what you want."
Lisa nodded. "I don't want to have to face her alone. I'm afraid she'll be mean and ugly to me. I don't need someone else who I don't even know telling me how stupid I am. I know what I did was dumb..."
"Darlin', that's not the way counselors are. They want to help you; that's why they're in that field."
"But some of my friends go to counselors, and they say that they are ugly... that they put the kids down and..."
"Well then there's two things to consider... One, the kids are lying, or two, the counselor shouldn't be in that profession. And I would expect you to tell me if your counselor belittles you," AJ told her sternly. "I will not tolerate someone talking down to you or treating you badly."
Lisa smiled. "I love you so much, Uncle AJ." She kissed him on the cheek just as the waiter arrived with their dinner.
Grace decided it was time to remind them of her presence. "AJ, this looks wonderful. I was beginning to wonder why the waiter hadn't taken our order yet. You ordered ahead?"
Lisa moved from AJ's lap back to her seat and picked up her napkin to wipe her tears. She chanced a glance at Grace and found her smiling. Grace said, "You know, I really need to visit the powder room before we eat. If you'll excuse me?" AJ nodded, and Grace scooted her chair back and stood up. "Lisa, you want to keep me company?"
"Sure," Lisa said, rising to meet her.
They left the table and AJ waved to the waiter. "Would you cover these, please? The ladies will be a few minutes." AJ felt pretty sure that when they came back to the table, Lisa would know who Grace really was.
"Of course, Admiral."
Grace and Lisa reached the ladies room, and Lisa was surprised when Grace didn't go in a stall. She opened her purse and pulled out a handkerchief. She dampened it and then handed it to Lisa. "This will help."
Lisa looked at her and smiled. "Thank you." Lisa wiped her face with the soft handkerchief.
"Lay it across your eyes for just a minute. It'll help keep them from puffing too much," Grace instructed.
"Really?" Lisa covered her eyes with the wet cloth. "I'm sorry about what just happened out there."
"You don't need to be sorry, Lisa. The love and respect you have for your uncle is very touching. And his for you."
"He's not really my uncle. He's my godfather," Lisa told Grace.
"Doesn't change his love."
Lisa smiled. "No, it doesn't. He's really special. You probably think I'm a total washout, though."
Grace laughed lightly. "Not a bit! Why would I think that?"
"Letting myself be coerced into something I know is wrong. That's really stupid."
"No, Lisa. It isn't stupid. It's called peer pressure. And it's at its worst when you're in high school. Younger than that, you can run home and tell Mommy what happened and she'll help you. Older than that, you're pretty well set in being able to make your decisions. Sometimes they're the wrong decisions, but they're yours. In high school, though? That's the tough one. You're too old to run to Mommy, but not quite ready to make the decision on your own. So your peers make it for you. Unfortunately, that doesn't diminish your responsibility and your having to pay the penalty when it's a bad decision."
"You really think that? You don't blame me for doing such a stupid thing?"
Grace shook her head. "No. This was your first time, and peer pressure is what you succumbed to. Not wanting to take drugs. There's a difference. Now if you keep taking drugs, that's when I'd call what you're doing stupid," Grace grinned.
Lisa replied emphatically, "There won't be a second time."
"I'm glad."
"I wish you could be my counselor. You're good," said Lisa lightly, smiling.
"I am, Lisa."
Lisa looked up at her. "You're what?"
"I'm Grace Evans, Lisa. I am your counselor."
Lisa was shocked. "You? You mean... Uncle AJ knows?"
Grace took a step toward Lisa. "I showed up at his office this afternoon to lay into him about his canceling our appointments. You're very good, you know. My receptionist really believed that you were the Admiral's yeoman."
Lisa flushed. "I'm sorry."
"Hey! Forgiven and forgotten," Grace told her. "It's no big deal. Just don't make a habit of it, okay? I'm just glad that I finally got to meet you. And you know, hearing you explain to AJ what happened in December was a good thing for me. And hearing about your hair color fiasco. It helps me get to know you better. And in turn, that will enable me to help you better."
"You're really not angry, Ms. Evans?"
Grace shook her head. "Nope. And call me Grace, okay?"
Lisa smiled... then frowned. "I'll bet Uncle AJ is angry, though."
"Did he act that way?" Grace asked her. Lisa shook her head. "He didn't act angry in his office either when he found out about all this. Just concerned. Very concerned. And he's probably *reeeeally* worried about our being in here together for so long," Grace giggled.
Lisa giggled, too. "We should probably go back out."
"Yea, our dinner's getting cold."
As they approached their table, AJ saw them and rose. "I wondered if you fell in," he teased Lisa.
"Sorry about that, AJ. I sort of talked her ear off," said Grace.
"Oh! Grace, I left your handkerchief on the counter. I'll go get it!" Lisa rushed back to the ladies room.
"Grace?" AJ questioned Lisa's using her name. "So she knows."
Grace nodded. "I told her."
"And?"
"She's fine with it."
"You sure it's not another act?" AJ asked.
Grace smiled and laid her hand on AJ's arm. "I'm sure, AJ. She's a very dear girl. I'm going to enjoy getting to know her. And if I can help her in some little way, all the better."
AJ reached his free arm up and caressed Grace's cheek. Neither of them noticed Lisa's return because she slipped around from behind, wanting to surprise them. "You've already helped her by coming to me this afternoon. It took a lot for her to talk to me the way she did this evening. I always thought she didn't really like me as a person. Oh, loved me as her godfather, yes, but that's different. It never occurred to me that she was simply afraid of disappointing me," AJ shook his head. "I'll definitely do better on that front from now on."
"Let's eat!" Lisa said, taking her seat and surprising them.
"Where'd you come from?" said AJ, looking around.
"Why, the planet Venus, of course," joked Lisa.
"Nope. Your hair's the wrong color. Has to be purple!" quipped Grace, and they all laughed.
They finished their dinner and dessert and AJ paid the bill. As they got up to leave the restaurant, AJ told Grace that he and Lisa would discuss the counseling sessions and he'd call her tomorrow to set them up. Grace pulled out her business card and wrote a number on the back. "That's my home number," she said quietly as her eyes twinkled.
AJ took the card and glanced at it before slipping it in his pocket. "You're a nurse? I didn't know nurses were counselors."
"Only the lucky ones," Grace smiled.
"We'll walk you to your car," AJ said as he helped her into her coat.
"You don't have to..."
"A gentleman always sees a lady safely to her car," AJ told her.
"There are so few gentlemen left in the world; I'd forgotten," said Grace.
"Uncle AJ, I'm going to run back into the rest room for a second. I'll be right back," Lisa yelled as she headed back inside.
"That is a smart girl," said AJ, walking alongside Grace.
"What do you mean?" asked Grace. "Oh, here's my car."
"This," replied AJ as he pulled Grace into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her gently, but passionately. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. He knew his were smoldering; he was delighted to see hers reflecting the same desire. He lowered his face back to hers and captured her lips, again. As he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, she opened her mouth and he sucked her tongue into his own mouth.
Grace moaned and wrapped her arms around AJ's neck, pressing herself against him. AJ turned her slowly and backed her up against her car. 'Oh God, it's been so long,' she thought. She moved her right foot up and down his leg as they kissed. He moved his right hand from behind her back and began unbuttoning her coat. He released her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck. She moaned, again. "Ooohh, AJ..." She lowered her lips and kissed the top of his bald head.
"Uncle AJ?!" they heard Lisa's voice calling from the door of the restaurant.
AJ jerked his head up and looked into Grace's eyes. "I'm sorry, Grace. I had no right to..."
"Oh, please... Don't apologize, AJ. I only wish Lisa wasn't staying the night with you..."
"Would you be?" he asked huskily.
"Most definitely," she breathed, kissing the hollow of his neck. AJ pulled her face back up to his and kissed her soundly.
"Uncle AJ?!"
AJ released Grace and called, "Coming, Lisa!" He turned back to Grace. "Thank you for joining us tonight."
"I wish I was joining you tonight," Grace purred.
"Tomorrow night?" he asked.
"It's a date."
"I'll call you in the morning," AJ said huskily.
He opened her car door and closed it once Grace was inside. He stepped back as she pulled out of her parking spot and drove away.
Lisa, seeing him, walked over to him. "I'm sorry, Uncle AJ. I didn't give you enough time with her, did I?"
AJ grinned. "Plenty of time, Darlin'." He turned toward his goddaughter and put his arm around her shoulders.
"I guess I did," she said softly.
"What?"
"You have lipstick on your collar," she giggled.
