A Nurse for AJ - Part 4

Saturday, 9 February 2002
2235 EST
Grace Evan's Apartment
Kent, Virginia

AJ and Grace sat on the sofa in her living room, Grace snuggled up under AJ's arm.  Neither had said a word for 10 minutes, but neither felt uncomfortable about it.  That was an improvement.  Finally, AJ broke the silence.  "Grace, I'm sorry about what happened last night."

Grace snuggled closer to him.  "Nothing happened that you need to apologize for, AJ."

"I remember, Grace.  I remember distinctly running my hand up your skirt."

Grace backed away and looked in his eyes.  "AJ, you didn't do that."

He looked at her oddly.  "At the bar, Grace."

"I wasn't at the bar, AJ," she reminded him.

"Then who..?"  AJ's face lost all its color as he realized whom he had fondled at McMurphy's.  "Oh my God.  Mac!"  

"AJ, what happened?  What did you do?" she asked gently.  

"I slid my hand under her skirt... and... oh God..." he sighed heavily.  

"Show me," Grace asked seductively.

AJ turned and looked at her.  "Show you?"

She nodded.  "Mmm hmmm.  Show me."

He chuckled, "Be a little difficult, Grace.  You have jeans on; Mac was in a skirt."

"Improvise," she said saucily.

AJ chuckled.  "I definitely have some forgiveness to beg of Mac."

"AJ, she's probably hoping that you don't even remember the incident.  The bourbon and all...?" Grace suggested.

AJ nodded.  "I'm sure she is, Grace.  But I have to approach her about it.  That or I have to write myself up on charges.  May still have to do that."

"Not if Mac has anything to say about it, I'll bet."

AJ smiled.  "I hope you're right."

"In the meantime, do you think you could... um... focus on me for the rest of the night?" Grace requested.

"Focus on you?  Oh, Darlin', I can focus on you for a lot longer than tonight!"  AJ pulled Grace into his arms and lowered his head to hers.  He covered her lips with his and then opened her mouth with his tongue.  With his mouth still covering hers, AJ scooted out from under her and picked her up in his arms.  "Bedroom?" he mumbled in her mouth.

"Over there," Grace mumbled back pointing to the left.

Sunday, 10 February 2002
1815 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment 
Georgetown, Washington, DC

AJ stood outside Mac's apartment door with his hand poised to knock.  He'd been standing there in the same position for almost 5 minutes.  'I should just call her,' he said to himself.  'Better still, talk to her tomorrow in my office.  How could I have done that to her?  How could she have let me?'  He had to know.  His hand knocked of its own volition.

Mac answered the door and was surprised to see the Admiral.  "Admiral!  What brings you all the way over here?  Is everything okay?"  The Admiral seldom visited his staff, and when he showed up unannounced, it usually meant trouble.

He nodded.  "Fine."

"Are you okay?" she added, remembering all too well his condition of Friday evening.

"Yes, Mac, I'm just fine.  Thank you.  May I come in?"

"Oh!  Of course, Sir.  I'm sorry," Mac backed away and let him enter.  She closed the door behind him.

"Mac, I believe I owe you an apology," his words rushed out of his mouth.

She looked up at him and then quickly diverted her eyes.  "I can't imagine to what you're referring, Sir."

"Mac, Friday night... at McMurphy's..."

"Nothing happened, Sir."

AJ looked Mac in the eyes.  "Mac, are you saying that I didn't..."

"You didn't, Sir."

AJ paced the room.  "Mac, I know I did; I am so sorry.  I..."

"It's all right, Sir."

"No, Mac.  It is not all right."

"Admiral, you were drunk."

"That's no excuse, Mac."

"I could have moved your hand, Sir.  I didn't.  So it's as much my fault as it is yours."

"Meaning if I file a report, you'll counter it with one of your own?"

"And then we both go down, Sir."

"Mac..."

"Admiral, please.  Let's just forget about it."

"Can you, Mac?  Can you forget it?" he asked thickly.

"Forget what, Sir?" she quipped, tossing her head.

AJ sighed heavily.  "All right, Mac.  We'll forget it.  Thank you.  But if you change your mind, I'll understand."

"I won't, Admiral."

Monday,11 February 2002
1445 EST
JAG Headquarters 
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ hung up the phone and thought, 'How the hell did I get involved in this?'  He shook his head.  "Grace, that's how."  He walked out of his office and spoke to his yeoman.  "Tiner, put something on my calendar for tomorrow evening.  1930.  VVSG."

"VBSG, Sir?"

"No, Tiner, VVSG."

"BVSG.  Got it, Sir."

"Tiner, V V, as in Vietnam Vets," AJ explained.

"Aye, Sir.  VVSG.  1930.  Location, Admiral?" asked Tiner.

"I know where it is, Tiner," AJ said as he headed for the break room.

"Admiral, did I hear you mention a Vietnam Vets Support Group, Sir?" asked Sturgis.

AJ nodded.  "That's right, Commander."

"I wasn't aware you were involved in a support group, Admiral.  Which one are you going to, Sir?  My father is involved with several of them.  Korean Vets, Nam, even the Gulf  War," Sturgis told him.

"This one is run by Timothy Chase.  He's a colleague of Grace Evans... you remember, my goddaughter's counselor?  I agreed to go and share some with them... see if it will help any of the men there."  AJ poured himself a cup of coffee.  "Don't know how it will help.  But, Grace and Tim seem to think so..."

"Oh, Admiral, I think it will help a great deal.  My father says that the men in his groups always appreciate someone else's viewpoint... with the stipulation that this outsider experienced the same things they did.  The last thing they want to listen to is someone who's never gone through the horrors of war tell them they shouldn't still be having nightmares."

AJ nodded.  "I can understand that."

"Yes, Sir.  And since you were in Nam right along with them, and a SeAL to boot?  They'll be very glad to listen to you, Admiral."

"Hope I don't bore them all to tears.  Hell, they'll probably fall asleep listening to me drone on," AJ quipped as he headed back to his office.  "Tiner, get me Captain Rossbach on the USS Akron."  He needed to call Meryl and cancel the weekend.  He wasn't the kind of man to string two women along.

Tuesday,12 February 2002
1935 EST
New Hope Behavioral Health Center
Washington, DC

The meeting was going well.  Tim had introduced AJ as a Navy SeAL who served in Vietnam.  He hadn't mentioned that AJ was still in the Navy.  AJ wondered why, and how the four men would react when they found out.  Would they feel like they'd been lied to?  He would.  'Best to get it out in the open as soon as I start talking,' he thought.

One of the men started talking about his recurring dream.  "I think it's driving me insane," he finished quietly.

AJ shook his head.  "No, it's not."  He hadn't really intended to speak until someone asked him to.

"What do you mean?  How do you know?" the man asked.

"Les, you just described a dream that I have every time I get drunk.  No, not exactly the same, but close enough.  I used to have the dreams a lot.  Now it's only when I'm plastered."

Les nodded.  "Yea, they do seem to come more often, or at least they're more vivid, when I've been drinking heavily."

"How long has it been since you had the nightmare, AJ?" asked another man.

AJ replied, "Friday night.  I got drunk.  A few of my officers took me home.  I had the dream..."

"A few of your officers?" interrupted the third man.  "You're still in?"

AJ nodded.  "Yes.  Made the Navy my life.  Don't quite know what I'd be doing if I'd left like the lot of you.  Sometimes I wonder," he chuckled.  "But the Navy's been good to me.  I'm glad I stayed."

"But it isn't for everyone," said Les defensively.

AJ shook his head.  "Absolutely not.  No more than the private sector is for everyone.  No more than owning your business is for everyone."

"World would be a pretty dull place if everyone was the same," said Les.

"Damn straight!" said AJ, and the others laughed.  

Tim smiled.  The ice was broken.  The men accepted AJ; now they could move on.  "So, AJ, tell us about how you handled the nightmares..."

Two hours later, the group broke up and said good night.  "AJ, you will come next week, won't you?  I know I'd really like to hear more of your exploits in-country!" said Les.

AJ laughed and looked at the others questioningly.  They nodded their heads in agreement, "Absolutely!"  "Yes, we'd like you to come."  "Definitely."

AJ looked at Tim and said, "Well, I only agreed to come one night, but if you don't mind, I'd rather enjoy coming back, again, next week.  Assuming my schedule allows it; I think it's clear, though."

Thursday,14 February 2002
1345 EST
JAG Headquarters 
Falls Church, Virginia

Harm, Sturgis, and Bud stood by the water cooler discussing their plans for the evening.  It was Valentine's Day and each one had something special in mind.  "So, Bud, what are you doing for Harriett tonight?" asked Harm.

"We're going to La Tour's for dinner, Sir.  That's one of her favorite places to eat, and it's kinda memorable to her because that's the first place I stood her up on a date."

"What?  You stood her up?" asked Sturgis.

"I had a flat tire on my old VW bug, Sir.  And no spare.  And no cell phone.  And it took forever to get anyone to stop!  I was mortified," Bud shook his head.  "If it hadn't been for the Commander and the Colonel, we'd never have gotten together."

Sturgis and Harm chuckled.  "Nice to have such good friends, isn't it, Lieutenant," Sturgis commented.

"Absolutely, Sir.  So, Commander, are you and Congresswoman Latham doing anything special tonight?"

"As a matter of fact, we are, Lieutenant," answered Sturgis.  "We also have a reservation at La Tour's.  Evidently it's one of Bobbie's favorite places, too."

Harm laughed.  "I think it must be for all women in this area.  That's where I'm taking Mac tonight!"  The men laughed together.  "Maybe we should call and tell them to push the tables together so we can all sit together?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Sir.  It's Valentine's Day.  It's supposed to be romantic.  You know, quiet and candlelight?" offered Bud as the Admiral walked up behind him.

"I agree with the Lieutenant, Harm.  I don't think the ladies would like it much," said Sturgis.

"The ladies wouldn't like what, Commander?" asked the Admiral.

"Oh, Sir!  I was just suggesting we all dine together this evening," said Harm.

"And I told him I didn't think the ladies would appreciate it," added Sturgis.

"You're probably right," agreed the Admiral.

"Did you send Bobbie flowers?" Harm asked Sturgis.

"Of course, roses.  You?"

"Well, not to Bobbie, but I sent some to Mac.  They'd better show up before she leaves the office or I'm dead meat," said Harm.

"I had balloons sent to the house for Harriett.  Little AJ can play with them tomorrow," offered Bud.

"Ever the practical Bud," said Harm.

"So, Admiral.  Do you have plans for this evening, Sir?" asked Sturgis.

AJ looked down for a moment and then looked each man in the eye.  "Yes, gentlemen, I do," he smirked and walked away.

"Well, I'll be..." said Harm.

"Do you suppose it's Grace?" asked Bud.

"No way," said Sturgis.  "They were spitting nails at each other on Friday.  You saw them!"

"Yeah, but she showed up at his house on Friday night," said Bud.

"And she took care of him while he was drunk.  Bud, no woman wants to clean up after a drunk man and then go out with him.  Only women who clean up after a drunk are nurses and wives.  And Grace is a nurse.  There's no way she agreed to a date!" Harm insisted.

"I don't know, Harm," inserted Sturgis.  "I think Mac would clean up after you if you got drunk."

Harm shook his head.  "No, she'd just kick my six!"

Thursday,14 February 2002
1945 EST
La Tour's Restaurant 
Washington, DC

Bud and Harriett stood outside the quaint little restaurant waiting for their table.  "Well, look who's here!" Harriett cried as she saw Harm and Mac walk up.  "Hello, Colonel.  Commander."

"Harriett!  Bud!  Great idea for dinner!" said Mac.

"Certainly is.  It's one of my favorite places," said Harriett.

"Mine, too," agreed Mac.

"Mine, three!" said Bobbie, as she and Sturgis walked up on the other side of the foursome.  

"Bobbie!  Sturgis!  Well, this is a surprise.  We're all having dinner here?  Did you guys plan this?" Mac said to Harm.

"No!" said Harm.

"Absolutely not," agreed Sturgis.

"Honest, Honey.  We only found out this afternoon that everybody else was coming here.  But we're still sitting by ourselves.  It'll be..."

"That's a great idea, Bud!  Why don't we share a table?" suggested Mac.

"That would be perfect!" agreed Bobbie.  "What do you say, Harriett?"

"I say, let's do it!"

The three men looked at each other and laughed.  Harm said, "Okay, I'll go talk to the hostess."

Because they were now a larger group, they were seated immediately.  All the tables for two were booked solid all evening.  The larger tables had more open slots.  As they took their seats around the large table, Harm looked up and said, "Well, I'll be damned!"

"What?" they all turned to see what Harm was looking at.  

"That's the Admiral!"  

"And Grace Evans!"

"Would you look at the dress she has on!" cried Harriett.  "It's incredible!"

"Would you look at the suit he has on!" drooled Bobbie.  "He's incredible!"

Just then, the Admiral looked up and saw his officers.  He spoke to the hostess, "Excuse me, Juliana.  I need to speak to someone before we sit down.  Grace?" AJ turned her around and they walked over to the large table.  "Good evening, people."

"Admiral."  "Sir."  "Good evening, Admiral."  "Hello, AJ."

"I believe you've all met Grace... except Bobbie.  Bobbie, may I present Grace Evans?  Grace, this is Congresswoman Bobbie Latham," said AJ formally.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Congresswoman," said Grave evenly.

"Likewise.  Please, call me Bobbie," she smiled.

"So you're all dining together after all, I see," AJ commented.

"Yes, Sir.  When the ladies found each other outside, they suggested it," said Bud. 

"And on Valentine's Day, what the ladies want, they get," quipped Harm.

AJ quirked  his eyebrow up and said, "Now I know what your problem is with women, Rabb."

"Sir?"

"What a lady wants, she should get... anytime.  Not just on Valentine's Day," AJ told him.  "Excuse us?  Have a pleasant evening."  And he guided Grace toward the hostess.  "We're ready to be seated now, Juliana."

"Very good, Admiral.  Right this way."

Harm was still smarting from the Admiral's comment when Mac said, "Don't let it get to you, Harm.  No one expects a flyboy to know any better."  The women giggled together.

AJ's table was just far enough away from the larger group that the sounds didn't carry.  But those at the larger table had a perfect view of the table and the couple.  "I can't believe she agreed to go out with him... especially after seeing him drunk on Friday night," said Bud.

"Would you look at the flowers on their table?  They're unlike any of the others," commented Mac.  "He must have requested them."

"They're cattleya orchids.  Just look at those blooms!  They're magnificent!" exclaimed Harriett.

"Oh, look!  The wine steward is already bringing their wine... he didn't even order anything yet!  He couldn't have," said Bud.

"He probably ordered their entire meal ahead of time, Bud," said Mac.

"Can you do that?" he asked.

Bobbie smiled.  "At a place like this?  You can do anything you want to.  All you have to do is be prepared to lay down some cold hard cash."

"Ooooh, how beautiful.  I love that piece," Harriett gushed as the small string ensemble began playing a romantic tune.  Then the violinist began walking around the room and playing for couples at their table.  He stopped at AJ's table and finished the piece there.

As the evening progressed, the larger group casually watched their Commanding Officer play footsie under the table with his date, hold her hand on the table, kiss her fingers, and hold her so close on the dance floor that not even a piece of paper could slip between them.  He kissed her lips at the end of each dance and had his arm gently around her waist as he led her on and off the dance floor.

"I never had a clue AJ was such a romantic man," said Bobbie.  "Handsome, yes.  Romantic?  Never had a clue," she said shaking her head.

AJ and Grace walked past the large table to say good night.  "Hope you're all enjoying your evening," said AJ.

"Most definitely, Admiral," replied Harriett, smiling.

"Good.  Good night.  I'll see you all in the morning.  Good night, Bobbie."

"Sir, don't you want to take your orchid?" asked Bud.  "I mean, you did order it special, didn't you?"  Bud turned to Grace.  "Wouldn't you want to take it home, Ma'am?"

AJ smiled his indulgence with his young officer.  "I told the waitress to take it home with her, Bud."

Grace spoke up.  "Actually, Bud, I have one just like it at home.  And at the office.  And at the clinic."  Grace looked up into AJ's eyes lovingly.  "I can't wait to find out what's waiting for me at your place," she whispered.

"Not cattleyas, I'll tell you that much," AJ returned.  "Good night, people."  And AJ turned Grace toward the exit.

"I'll bet I know what it is at his place," said Harriett.

"What?" asked Mac and Bobbie.

"Rose petals!" she said.

"Rose petals?" queried Harm.  "Why petals, Harriett?"

"I heard him giving instructions to the florist this morning.  They're strewing rose petals from the front door into his bedroom and then covering the bed with them."

"No!" exclaimed Bobbie.

"God, how romantic!" cried Mac.  Harriett nodded. 

"Betcha anything he gets laid tonight," whispered Sturgis to Harm.

"Hell, look at them," Harm said glancing at the women at their table.  "He could have his pick!"

Continue to Part 5.