Friday, 8 February 2002
0900 EST
JAG Headquarters 
Falls Church, Virginia

As AJ and Lisa entered the bullpen, the Marine guard stood and called out, "Attention on deck!"

"As you were!" AJ called back immediately. 

"Wow!" said Lisa.  "They have to stand up and come to attention just because you walked in the room?"

AJ smiled at his goddaughter.  "That's right, Darlin'."

Mac and Harriett exited the break room and saw the Admiral with the teenager.  "You don't suppose...?" asked Harriett.

Mac shook her head.  "No, I'm sure of it.  He only has one child: Francesca."  She called to him.  "Good morning, Admiral.  Harriett made a coffee cake this morning; would you like some, Sir?"

AJ stopped walking when he heard the word 'cake'.  "Coffee cake?" he said, turning toward Mac.  "Absolutely!  Lisa?  You want some?"

The girl laughed.  "How can you eat a piece of coffee cake after that breakfast I made for you!?  You ate 3/4 of a pound of bacon!!  And hash browns, 4 eggs, 3 pieces of buttered toast, 2 cups of coffee, and a quart of fruit!  You eat that coffee cake and you'll bust!"

AJ looked at Lisa.  "There's always room for Harriett's cooking, Darlin'.  You'll see.  Come on."  He took Lisa by the arm and pulled her into the break room.  Mac and Harriett went back inside with them, Harriett cutting the slices of cake and handing them out.  "Taste it," AJ said to Lisa.

Lisa took a small bite and her eyes lit up.  "Wow!!  That's fantastic!  Who made this?"

"I did," said Harriett.  "I'm Lieutenant Harriett Sims," she offered.

"This is so yummy!" Lisa said with her mouth full.  When she swallowed, she said, "Hi, I'm Lisa.  Sims....Harriett...oh!  I remember!" she said turning to AJ.  "You delivered her baby on the floor of your office a couple of years ago!"

AJ nodded.  "That's her."

"Lisa?" asked Mac, cocking her eyebrow at the Admiral.  "Yesterday's discussion, Lisa?" she asked him.

He nodded.  "Yes, Mac.  Lisa, this is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie."  AJ didn't realize that he never cleared up the subject of Lisa's parentage.  He had no idea that the scuttlebutt surrounding Lisa was that she was his own daughter.

"Oh!  You're his gorgeous Chief of Staff!" Lisa exclaimed before she thought better of it.  AJ blanched and Mac blushed.  Harriett just grinned.  "Oops.  Sorry about that," Lisa said to AJ.  "But you're right.  She is... gorgeous, I mean."

"Lisa..." AJ warned.

"I guess I'd better shut up now, huh?" Lisa asked.

"That would be a good idea," AJ grinned.

"Mmm, this coffee cake is sooo good.  Do you share recipes?  I'd love to have this one so I can make it for Mom when she comes home," Lisa said.

"I'll write it out for you before you leave," said Harriett.

"Thanks!  Where's the head around here?" Lisa asked in typical Navy fashion.

"I'll take you there," offered Harriett.  She led Lisa out of the break room and through the bullpen. 

As they approached Harm's office, Lisa looked in and saw him stand up.  He stretched, his muscles showing through his uniform shirt.  He saw Lisa staring at him, so he flashed her one of his trademark smiles.  "Oh God!" she breathed. 

Harriett turned around.  "What's wrong?"

"Absolutely nothing!  He's perfect!!  Who is he?!" Lisa exclaimed loudly.

Harm heard Lisa's exclamation, as did everyone else in the bullpen... and the break room.  AJ and Mac came out to see what the commotion was and found Lisa staring up at Harm.  Mac chuckled.  "He's at it, again."

AJ walked up behind Lisa and said, "Lisa, this is Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr.  Harm, this is Lisa."

Harm looked down at Lisa and smiled, again.  "Pleasure to meet you, Lisa."  'Lisa?  Oh my God... as in the Admiral's daughter Lisa??'

"Harm?  Oh, you're the one who shot off the machine gun in the court room!!" she exclaimed.  She turned back to AJ.  "You didn't tell me he was gorgeous!!"

AJ chuckled.  "I wonder why."  AJ shook his head.  "Come on, you.  My office."  AJ took Lisa by the arm and led her to his office.

When they got to Tiner's desk, AJ let go of her arm, expecting her to walk in ahead of him.  But she didn't.  "You must be Tiner," she said, standing in front of his desk.

Tiner looked up and nodded.  "Petty Officer Jason Tiner, at your service, Miss."

"Lisa, come on," AJ said firmly.  "Tiner has work to do."  'Thank God it's too cold for you to have shorts on today!' AJ thought, remembering Tiner's comment in October about teenage girls looking good in shorts.  "Tiner, if Grace Evans calls, interrupt me."

"Aye, aye, Sir."  'Grace Evans... that's the woman from yesterday.'

AJ shut the door behind him.  "Have a seat, Lisa.  Let's see if we can figure out a good schedule for us and then we'll call Grace.  Hopefully her schedule will mesh with ours."

"Why don't you take her out for lunch and discuss it then?" prompted Lisa.

"I'm having lunch with you today, Darlin'.  Alone.  Just the two of us.  I've already made the reservation at the OC."

Lisa smiled.  "Uncle AJ, you know I'd love that.  But I know you'd rather be with her."

AJ shook his head.  "Actually, no.  I'd rather not be with her at lunch.  At dinner?  Yes.  Lunch?  No.  I have to come back to work afterward."

"You're a two-star Admiral!  You can just cancel your afternoon appointments and take the day off!" she argued.

AJ chuckled.  "I wish it was that easy."  They heard a knock on the door.  "Enter!"

Harriett stepped inside the door and said, "Admiral, would you like me to show Lisa around while you're busy, Sir?  I don't have a lot on my plate today, and I'd be more than happy to keep her company."

AJ looked surprised.  He turned to Lisa.  "You want a tour of JAG, Darlin'?"

"That would be way cool.  Can I?"

AJ smiled.  "You're sure you don't mind, Lieutenant?" he asked Harriett.

"It'll be a pleasure, Sir."

"Fine.  Thank you, Harriett."  AJ turned to Lisa.  "Lisa, think before you speak, please.  My people don't need any help embarrassing themselves."

"Neither do you!" she laughed.

"What?" he barked.

"Hey!  I'm not the one who had lipstick smeared all over my head and shirt when we got home from dinner last night!" she laughed as she followed Harriett out the door.  AJ got up and stopped in his doorway.

"Lipstick all over his head?" asked Harriett as they reached the bullpen.

Lisa giggled.  "Uh huh!"

"Lisa!" he yelled.  "Not another word!!"

Lisa turned around and pressed her thumb and index finger together...then ran them along her lips.  "My lips are sealed!" she giggled.  "Of course, not quite as well sealed as yours were to Grace's last night!"

"Lisa!" he barked.  "That's enough out of you!"  AJ sounded angry now.  Lisa looked down at her feet, then back up at AJ.  She folded her lips in and bit down.  AJ recognized the movement:  she was about to cry.  "Don't do that."  AJ walked over to her.  "Stop it, Lisa," he said quietly.  "I'm not angry.  I just don't want you blabbing to the entire office that I came home with lipstick all over my..."  He stopped, realizing what he was saying and where... and who was listening.  Everybody!  AJ sighed.  "Lisa, you're worse than your mother!" AJ turned, shaking his head, and walked back toward his office. 

"Do you love my mother?" Lisa asked out of the blue.

AJ stopped midstride.  He turned around slowly.  "What did you ask me?"

"Do you love my mother?"  She said it almost daringly.

"Of course I do, Darlin'."

"Just not enough to marry her?"

There was instant silence in the bullpen.  Everyone waited to hear the Admiral's answer.

"Lisa, I said I love your mother, not that I'm in love with her.  There's a difference.  A big difference.  You should know that by now.  You're old enough to understand that."

"But what about me?"

"I love you, too, Darlin'; you know that."

"Mom loves you.  She told me so."

AJ nodded.  "Yes, she does.  But Lisa, she's not in love with me."

"But I saw you!  I saw you kissing!  Hugging and..."

AJ was surprised.  He didn't realize that Lisa had seen them.  He walked back toward her.  "Lisa..."

"You did.  You can't deny it!  I saw you.  I saw you kiss Mom.  And she kissed you back.  And you say you're not in love with each other?" Lisa accused.

"Lisa, I'm not denying anything.  Yes, I did kiss your mother, but it was..."

"It was on the lips, and it wasn't just a peck.  So don't try to tell me it was just a friendly kiss," Lisa told him.

AJ stood in front of Lisa and put his hands on her shoulders.  "Darlin', your mother was lonely.  She was..."

"You picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.  I saw you.  And you were in there for almost an hour... with the door locked.  I'm not a kid anymore, you know.  I know what happens behind a locked door when a man and woman are together," Lisa informed him.

"Darlin', your mother was hurting.  She..." he hesitated.  He continued, speaking slowly.  "She needed a little loving, that's all.  I held her.  I kissed her.  She felt better, and I went home."

"After you screwed her."

"Lisa!  That is an ugly term for a beautiful thing that happens between a man and a woman.  I don't want to hear that from you, again."

"But you did, didn't you?  You made love to her," she accused.

"Lisa, I've never slept with your mother."

"I didn't say you slept with her.  I'm sure you didn't sleep... either of you."

"Lisa..."

"You really don't love her?"

"I do love her.  Just not the kind of love for..." said AJ.

"But, couldn't you be in love with each other?  You could marry her.  Then I could come live with you while she's on the ship.  It would be like... like..." her voice caught.

AJ knew she was going to dissolve into tears any second.  He folded her into his arms and sure enough, she began crying.  "Shh, Darlin'.  It's okay.  Shhh," he cooed to her.  AJ looked up and saw Grace Evans walk into the bullpen.  He sort of half smiled at her and pulled Lisa even closer to his chest, rubbing her back.

Grace immediately walked up to them.  "Lisa?  What is it?  Can I do anything?"

Lisa lifted her head and turned to see Grace.  "Grace?  You're here?  Why?  Didn't you get enough of him last night?" she said meanly.  

Grace winced inside, but she didn't show it.  "Actually, I came to see you, Lisa.  I thought I'd see if you wanted to go shopping with me for a few hours this morning.  I thought we could talk some and get to know each other better.  That is, if it's okay with you, AJ?"

"Don't try to con me!  You'd rather be with him, and I know it!  And so does everyone else!!" Lisa accused.  "You probably thought that if you came here, he'd take you in that big office of his and kiss you senseless, again, didn't you?  Well, he won't!  Because he's going to marry my mother!"  Lisa ran out of the bullpen and into the ladies room.

Grace turned to AJ.  "Somehow I think I showed up at a bad time.  Care to enlighten me?"

AJ replied quietly, "It appears you were correct yesterday.  Lisa does want me to marry her mother."

"Yes, well, that was obvious," she said, nodding toward the exit.  "And what did you tell her?"

"I told her 'no'."  AJ sighed.  "Now what, counselor?"

"Let me go talk to her," offered Grace.

"You think that's wise?  She's in quite a state... and she's apparently a little jealous..."

Grace laughed.  "A little?"  She turned and looked out toward the ladies room.  "Better that she direct her anger at me than at you, AJ."  He looked skeptical.  "Don't worry.  It'll be okay."  She started walking out.

"How did you know?" he asked, stopping her.

Grace turned around to face him.  "Know what?"

"About her wanting me to marry her mother."

"It's natural, AJ.  She loves you.  She loves her mother.  What's more natural than her wanting the two of you together?  Wanting to be a family.  There's nothing you could have done to prevent it.  Nor her mother."  Grace laid her hand on AJ's arm.  "She'll be okay, AJ."  She turned and headed for the rest room.

AJ sighed.  Mac and Harriett walked up to their CO.  "Are you all right, Sir?" asked Mac.

AJ shook his head.  "And I thought her showing up with green hair would be the worst of it.  Sometimes I'm glad I didn't have to go through Francesca's high school years.  Then again, if I had, I'd know what to do about Lisa."

Harriett smiled.  "Not necessarily, Sir.  Every child is different."

Lauren piped up, "And it's especially hard on a girl when she knows a man is bedding her mother... and yet he won't marry her."  AJ chose to ignore her statement.  

"Damn!  I should have known Lisa wasn't asleep.  She never goes to bed when she's told; never has... not since she was a baby," he muttered as he turned and walked back to his office.

"Oh my God!" said Mac.  "She is his daughter.  I would never have believed it."

Meanwhile, Grace entered the ladies room and found Lisa sitting on the floor at the far end of the room.  "Lisa?  You want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Okay.  Maybe later.  So, do you want to go shopping with me?"

Lisa looked up at her.  "You still want me to go?  After I blew up and yelled at you?"

Grace smiled.  "Sure, why not?"

"You're strange," Lisa said, nodding.

Grace laughed lightly.  "Lots of people tell me that.  Men especially.  Probably why I've never married."

"How old are you?" Lisa asked.

"For shame, Lisa.  Don't you know better than to ask a woman how old she is?  That's a definite no-no."

Lisa giggled.  "I know.  I just wanted to see if you'd answer me.  So why haven't you ever married?"

"Never been asked."

"You're kidding, right?" Lisa asked incredulously.

Grace shook her head.  "Nope.  No joke.  Never been asked.  'Always a bridesmaid, never a bride'... that's me," she said as she sat on the floor next to Lisa.

"I don't get it.  Uncle AJ was all over you last night."

"Yea, well...  I was all over him, too," Grace smirked.  "Lisa, I'm really sorry about that.  I shouldn't have..." she started to say as Lisa spoke.

"I know.  You left lipstick all over his head and his shirt collar!" Lisa informed her.

"Oh, God!  I didn't think about that.  I had just put lipstick on before we left the restaurant."

"I liked the color.  It matched his face when I told him it was there!!" Lisa laughed.  

"Oh, you're bad!"

Lisa nodded.  "Yea, I am."  She looked down.  "Why won't he marry my Mom?  He made love to her in October."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Grace, surprised, but not showing it.

Lisa nodded.  "I'm sure.  I found the condom in Mom's bathroom garbage the next morning when I dumped the trash."

"Lisa, people aren't always in love when they have sex with each other.  Now I'll grant you, they should be, but it just doesn't happen that way all the time.  Sometimes, men and women have sex just to satisfy an animalistic urge... a need in them... lust, if you will.  The harder and faster, the better.  Other times, it's to satisfy a need, but not really lust... more a desire.  That's when it's more of a dating kind of thing."

Lisa shook her head.  "That's not what it was between them.  Uncle AJ was so gentle with Mom.  He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.  He kissed her so softly... the way Daddy used to..." Lisa bit her lips together to try and keep from crying.

"Maybe your Mom was hurting."

"That's what Uncle AJ said."

"Honey, AJ seems very much like a man who would do whatever he could to help someone he loves stop hurting.  Oftentimes, when a woman's husband dies, she stops feeling like a woman.  There's no one to kiss her, to hug her... to pet her.  It's very difficult for her."  Grace was getting choked up.  She cleared her throat and started, again.  "And soon, she begins to feel that no one even thinks of her as a woman anymore.  That she's not attractive.  That she's not desirable to a man.  And your mother, being the Captain of a ship full of men... men who can't show any feeling toward her... I would imagine that she's been feeling that very strongly."

Lisa's tears streamed down her face and she nodded.  "When we got home from the cemetery after she first came back in October, she said that.  She told me that we'd always have each other.  I told her that I didn't want her to ever replace Daddy.  She said that was something I didn't need to worry about... that no one would want her anyway.  She wasn't young and pretty anymore.  She wasn't someone a man would want."

"When did you see your Mom and AJ kissing?"

"The next night.  He came over and took us out for dinner.  Then we all went to a movie.  It was fun."

"What did you see?"

"I don't remember.  I was watching them."

"What were they doing, Lisa?"

"Uncle AJ put his arm around the back of Mom's seat.  Then she moved her hand to his knee.  He lowered his arm around her shoulders then and she leaned into him.  I heard her sniff a couple of times, and he wiped her eyes with his handkerchief.  That's why I didn't say anything.  I knew Mom wouldn't want me to know she was crying."

"Do you know why she was crying?"

"I think so.  Daddy used to take us to movies when Mom was home.  I think she was missing him."

"I think you're probably right."

"And I think Uncle AJ knew that."

"Do you think he took advantage of your mother, Lisa?"

"No!  No, absolutely not.  Uncle AJ would never do that to Mom... to anyone!" Lisa defended him.

Grace smiled.  'Good, good,' she thought.  "What else happened at the theatre, anything?"

"Mom put her head on Uncle AJ's shoulder and he leaned his head against hers.  They held hands through most of the movie, and his arm was around her the whole time.  When the movie was almost over, I saw Mom lift her head and kiss Uncle AJ's neck.  He looked kinda surprised, I think.  It was dark and hard to see, but I'd say she surprised him," Lisa giggled.

"Did he kiss her back?"

She shook her head.  "Not then.  But a couple of minutes later, I heard Mom moan.  When I looked, they were kissing.  And I could see their tongues."

Grace chuckled.  "Ah ha!  The plot thickens."

Lisa giggled, again.  "I pretended to be really sleepy after the movie and said I just wanted to go home and go to bed.  So we didn't stop anywhere for ice cream or anything.  When we got home, I kissed Mom good night and went to my room.  I got dressed for bed and turned my bed down.  But then I snuck back and cracked my door so I could see them.  Uncle AJ said that he should leave, and Mom started crying.  Uncle AJ pulled her into his arms and hugged her.  They stood there like that for about five minutes; Uncle AJ rubbing her back with his hands.  Then he kissed her.  Then his hand disappeared under the back of her sweater, and I heard Mom moan, again... like she did in the theatre.  That's when Uncle AJ picked her up and carried her to her bedroom.  I waited about 10 minutes, expecting him to come back out.  And he didn't.  So I went and tried to turn the doorknob.  It was locked.  That's when I knew what they were doing.  And I could hear them through the door.  Not loudly; Mom was never loud with Daddy either."

"She's lucky.  I sound like a banshee," said Grace.  "Lisa, did you see him leave?"

"Yea.  About an hour later, I heard the front door open and close.  Then I heard his SUV start.  I went to Mom's room to check on her.  She was lying in bed; her clothes were folded and sitting on the bench at the foot of the bed.  I asked her if she was okay."

"And?" Grace prompted when Lisa didn't finish the thought.

"She said, 'I'm wonderful, Baby.  Just wonderful.'  I was kinda embarrassed; I never walked in on my parents, not even just afterward, ya know?  I went back to my room and went to sleep."

"Did you tell your mother that you know she made love with AJ?" Grace asked.

"No!  I couldn't do that.  I dumped the trash and I saw the condom fall in the big bag.  I reached in to see what it was.  I'd never seen one used before."

"How did you feel about AJ making love to your mother, Lisa?  Were you okay with it?"

"Yea.  I was kinda hoping that maybe that meant they'd get married.  I'd like to have Uncle AJ as a father.  But I don't think I'd want anyone else."

"They might still get married, you know."

"No, they won't.  They're not in love with each other.  I think Uncle AJ was just helping Mom feel like a woman, again... like you said."

"Are you okay with that?"

"I guess.  I don't really have a choice, do I?  I mean, yea, I'd rather they get married.  But I'm okay with it if Uncle AJ just stays my godfather.  Look, Grace, I'm sorry I was so mean to you in there before.  I didn't mean those ugly things I said to you."

Grace smiled.  "I know that, Honey.  And it's already forgiven and forgotten.  And I tell you what.  You apologize to AJ for causing a scene, and I'll tell you how old I am."

Lisa looked up at her.  "That's a bribe!"

"Yes, it is," Grace replied.  Then she giggled.  "I'll throw in a stop at Baskin Robbins," she tempted her.

"Let's go!!"  Lisa was up off the floor and out the door before Grace even had time to react.  When she followed Lisa into the bullpen, she found her in AJ's arms already.  "I'm so sorry, Uncle AJ.  I didn't mean to cause a scene.  I know you and Mom won't ever get married.  It's just that... I miss Daddy, you know?  And you're... well, you're..."

"The next best thing?" AJ supplied.

Lisa looked up at him and grinned.  "Uh huh.  Is that horrible of me?"

"Horrible?  No, Lisa.  That you love me enough to want me as your substitute Daddy is very special.  Very, very special."  AJ kissed the top of her head.  "It just can't be that way.  Your mother..."

"...is gonna kill me when she finds out I lied to her about my counseling sessions."  Lisa turned to look at Grace.  "How the heck am I going to explain her?" she asked AJ.  "I described Grace Evans as an ugly old maid with black hair and gray roots!"

"Don't forget the ruddy complexion," said AJ.

"And the coffee stains on my teeth," added Grace.

"You know about that!?" Lisa was horrified.

They both laughed.  "Yes, Darlin'.  Your mother described Grace to me on the phone yesterday afternoon."

"Mom already knows, huh?"

AJ shook his head.  "No, Lisa.  I didn't tell her anything.  She knows something's going on, but not what."

"I'll tell her the truth when I talk to her tonight.  She always calls me on Friday night," said Lisa.

"Be sure to tell her that we are having our sessions now, though, okay?" said Grace.

"But we haven't..." started Lisa.

"Oh, but we have!  We had our first session in the ladies room at Callisto's last night.  And our second in the ladies room here this morning.  And our third will be while we're shopping!  That is, assuming you want to go..."

"Yes!  I do!"

Grace laughed.  "Good.  Then let's go.  Get your coat."

"Could I see you for a moment before you disappear with my goddaughter?" AJ requested.

"Of course.  Lisa, I'll be just a minute," Grace said.

The staff in the bullpen looked around at each other.  'Ah!  She's his goddaughter!'

AJ and Grace went into his office and AJ closed the door behind them.  "Are you sure it's a good idea to..."

"AJ, she's fine.  Really.  She told me about what happened between you and her mother in October at the movie and afterwards.  And she's okay with it all now.  She understands," Grace tried to smile.  "We'll have a good time together, we'll get to know each other better, and the more I know and understand her, the more I can help her."

AJ nodded.  "I suppose."

"You're worried about her."

"It shows, huh?" AJ chuckled.  Grace nodded.  "Grace, maybe it would be best if..."

"If we don't start seeing each other?  Exactly what I was thinking, AJ."  Grace opened the door and exited quickly.  "Lisa!  Let's head for the mall!"  They were to the double doors before AJ even reached the bullpen from his office.

"Grace, that's not what I..." he said as the doors closed... "meant."  AJ sighed.  "Damn."  He turned and went back in his office.  "Tiner, get me Captain Rossbach on the USS Akron."

Ten minutes later, Tiner buzzed the Admiral and told him that the Captain was on the line.  AJ picked up the phone.  "Meryl?"

"AJ!  I've been waiting to hear from you.  What's going on?  Is Lisa okay?"

"She's fine."

"What happened?  Why did you call yesterday?  Why did you ask if she'd..."

"She knows, Meryl," AJ interrupted her.

"What?" she gulped.

"She wasn't asleep.  She knows."

"Oh God," Meryl breathed.

"She wants us to get married."

"What did you tell her?"

AJ hesitated.  Meryl was a lovely woman.  Life with her wouldn't be so bad.  She was very good in bed; a lot better than he would have imagined.  And she was warm and considerate.  A wonderful mother.  And one hell of a Navy Captain.  "What would you want me to tell her, Meryl?"

"AJ, you know I love you.  But I'm not in love with you.  No more than you are with me.  And I won't settle for any less than that.  Not after the love that Dan and I shared.  It would be almost... like a sacrilege to..."

"Say no more, Meryl.  That's basically what I told Lisa.  That we love each other, but that we aren't in love with each other.  Then Grace talked to her for a while.  I think Lisa's going to be fine with it."

"Is she there with you now?"

"No, she and Grace went shopping."

"Shopping?  Lisa and the old battleaxe?"

"Lisa has something to explain about that this evening when you call her," AJ chuckled.

"I wish it could be different for us, AJ," Meryl whispered.

"So do I, Meryl.  So do I."

Continue to Part 3.