Random Hearts - Part 4

Tuesday, 24 June 2003
1210 HST
USS Guadalcanal
Pacific Ocean

Harm finally tracked Mac down in the officers' mess; she was eating lunch with several other Marines. Mac saw him walk in and felt pretty sure he was looking for her. She'd successfully avoided him all morning; she knew he wouldn't be happy that she interviewed the Seamen in the brig without his being present. She looked up and smiled, "Grab a tray and join us, Harm."

"Not hungry, Colonel," Harm replied, walking up to stand beside her chair.

'Uh oh,' Mac thought. 'He really is pissed.' She teased him aloud, "No rabbit food, hmm?"

"I wouldn't know. I haven't had time to check. I've been looking for you."

"Why didn't you just have me paged?" she asked.

"Why did you interview my clients without informing me? I should have been there, and you know it," he accused.

"Ya snooze, ya lose, Flyboy," Mac quipped, to which the other Marines chuckled. "And you were still in your cabin when I went to the brig. For all I knew, you were still asleep."

"Mac, you could have waited... or knocked to see if I was up, which I was, by the way," he added.

"For what purpose, Harm? There were no formal charges filed against the Seamen as of this morning. So, technically, they were not your clients. And technically, I didn't have to tell you squat."

"I don't think the Admiral would agree with..."

"Colonel MacKenzie!" greeted Captain Huddleston as he walked into the room. "I thought I might find you in here!" The other Marines laughed with the Captain when he continued, "As I remember it, you ate lunch promptly at noon every day on this ship. I see you haven't changed in that regard," he teased her.

Mac blushed, "You know it's odd, Sir. When I'm on land, I don't eat on a timetable. I eat when I'm hungry... which is most of the time," she added under her breath. "But when I'm on a ship, I eat on a schedule." She shook her head. "Never have figured out why."

"You just want to be sure you get fed!" quipped Harm.

Mac laughed, "You're probably right."

The Captain brought his tray over to the table and sat down next to Mac. "So, Commander, I guess you came all this way for nothing, hmm?" he said to Harm. "You're not eating?" he added, noticing that Harm was still standing and had no food.

"He's not hungry, Sir," Mac said in a teasing voice. She knew Harm. She knew he was hungry.

Harm looked at the Captain... and then at Mac. "'For nothing', Captain? What do you mean, 'for nothing'?"

Huddleston looked at Mac. "You haven't told him yet?"

Mac shook her head. "Haven't seen him until just now. I think he was avoiding me all morning," Mac teased.

Harm pulled out the last chair at the table and sat down. "You want to fill me in, please? Why was my trip here 'for nothing', Mac?"

She smiled. "Because Captain Huddleston chose to hold a Captain's Mast for the infraction instead of filing formal charges. Captain Scott did not want to press charges against the Seamen for harassment, and everyone believes that there was no malicious intent in their actions. If, however, their actions are repeated or they commit any other infractions in the next year, charges will be filed for the new infraction as well as this one."

Harm sat there, his mouth agape. "Is there something wrong, Commander?" asked Huddleston. "Do you not agree?"

Harm shook his head. "No, Sir... I mean, yes, Sir... I mean, I do agree, Captain. I'm just... surprised..."

"Shocked is more like it," Mac muttered.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Harm said to Mac. "You were so convinced coming here that this was 'pure and unadulterated sexual harassment' as you called it, that I... I guess I'm just surprised you gave up so easily."

Mac shook her head in disbelief. "I didn't 'give up', Harm. I looked at all the facts. As I always do." She rose from the table. "If you'll excuse me, Captain. Gentlemen." And Mac left the room.

Harm watched her leave, and the Captain watched him watch her leave. He wondered if there was something there. He'd heard a few rumors when Rabb was aboard before, but he never paid heed to rumors.

Harm finally spoke again. "Captain, I'm curious..."

Huddleston shook his head. "Like she said, Commander. She looked at all the facts. She talked to all those involved. And she made her recommendation."

"And you made your own decision," Harm almost grinned. "Thank you, Sir, for..."

"Yes, Commander. I made my own decision. And my decision was to accept the Colonel's recommendation. Exactly as she presented it."

"You mean... Mac...?" Harm was dumbfounded.

"Commander, you seem to have a problem believing that Colonel MacKenzie could be fair and impartial in such a case as this," another Marine Colonel spoke up from the table.

Harm turned, "No, Sir. Mac is as fair as they come. It's just that she was so adamant... I mean, really... She was so angry when she saw those pictures of the cabin door. I haven't seen Mac that mad in..." he let the thought drop. "I'm glad," he nodded, more to himself than the others. "I'm really glad that she didn't let her first opinion taint her investigation. I should have known she wouldn't. She never does..." Harm stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go talk to Mac."

Tuesday, 24 June 2003
2045 HST
USS Guadalcanal
Pacific Ocean

Mac sat back in her chair and sighed. "That was an incredible meal, Sam."

Huddleston smiled, "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sarah."

"Even better than what we had two years ago," she remembered.

"Have a different cook now. This guy calls himself a 'chef'. And I guess he is, at that. Of course, he doesn't get much opportunity to show off his culinary prowess on this ship. He was thrilled when I asked him to prepare a special meal for tonight," Sam chuckled.

"Well, he did a splendid job. It was absolutely delicious."

"So are you, Sarah," Sam said quietly. "And may I say that you look especially lovely tonight."

Mac smiled, "Thank you, Sam." She was even more glad now that she wore her black dress. He'd been surprised when she arrived earlier, but delightedly so.

He slid his chair back and extended his hand to Mac. She took it, and he led her to a sofa. As they sat down, he didn't release her hand. "Sarah, you must know that I find you delightful. And that I would like nothing more than to begin a relationship with you." He saw her eyes cloud slightly. "Before I continue and make a complete fool of myself, dare I ask if that is something you would care to have? A relationship with me?"  Mac tried her best to smile brightly and nod her head. But the smile was tinged with tear-filled eyes, and the nod was so jerky, Sam said, "It's okay to say 'no', Sarah. I don't want you to feel that you have to..."

With that, Mac's tears rolled down her cheeks. She put her hands to her face and turned away. "Oh, Sam, I'm so sorry," she cried. Then she shook her head to clear her thoughts and turned back to him. "I owe you an explanation," she whispered.

"No, Sarah. You don't 'owe' me anything. We shared a lovely meal together as two friends. And that's perfectly fine. I'd like it to be more, but I understand..."

"No, you don't, Sam. How could you? I don't even understand it," Mac mumbled.

"You don't understand what?"

"Sam, you called me a friend just now. Did you mean it?" she dared.

He nodded. "Absolutely. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Can I bounce something off of you? See what your reaction would be... as a man?" Mac asked.

"Like a sounding board?" he asked. Mac nodded. "I'm surprised you don't ask Commander Rabb to..."

"Harm is a good friend, Sam, but he isn't always the best one to tell a secret."

"A secret?" Mac nodded. "I'm good at keeping secrets, Sarah," he assured her.

Mac proceeded to tell Sam the whole story of how she joined Match.com, how she had dated numerous men but none of them were whom she really wanted. And then she met Strike... well, she met him online. She told Sam about their notes, the level of intimacy they shared, and about their decision to meet this past weekend. "Only Strike didn't show," Mac said.

"Did anything out of the ordinary happen between you online the night before?" Sam asked.

Mac blushed profusely. "Does 'Fourth of July' mean anything to you?" she almost whispered.

Sam leaned his head back and roared. "Oh, Sarah... I do wish I could tell you that I am your 'Strike'!! God, woman! If you can do that to a man over the Internet, I can only imagine what you can do in person!!"

"But why didn't he show up, Sam?" she asked. "If he'd had something come up suddenly, surely he would have written and told me. But he didn't."

"Nothing?"

"Not a word."

"Sarah, I can't speak for Strike... but I know if it had been me, and you'd done that the night before... I'd have been at the Mall two hours early waiting for you!"

Mac's tears started welling in her eyes again. "Then why didn't he show up?"

"Are you absolutely certain that he wasn't there?"

Mac nodded. "The only man who was there who even remotely resembled Strike was Admiral Chegwidden."

"You don't suppose..." Sam started to suggest.

Mac almost choked between her tears and sudden laughter. "Absolutely not! The Admiral's daughter is on Match.com right now, too, and he's having conniption fits about it." Mac shook her head, "No, that's not even the remotest possibility." It wasn't until much later that night that Mac remembered Francesca's telling her how encouraging her father had been the last time they spoke.

"Well, I don't know, Sarah. I can't begin to imagine why a man wouldn't have shown up. Not unless he'd lied to you." Mac didn't want to believe that Strike would have lied, but she knew that was a definite possibility. "You said his username is Strike... what?"

"Strike1Ball3," Mac told him again.

"Did you ever ask him what it meant?" Sam questioned.

Mac shook her head. "We talked about my username, Theropod. But we never talked about his."

"Well, if I had to guess, I'd say the Strike1 is a divorce... and you said he'd been divorced once, right?"

Mac agreed, "Yes, that's right. And he said he'd had several other relationships that hadn't worked out. You think those are the Ball3?"

"Certainly possible," Sam replied. "So maybe he just chickened out."

"Afraid that I'd be Ball4?" Sam nodded. "So what should I do?" Mac asked. "Just forget about him?"

Sam sighed. "If I had any sense, I'd tell you, yes! Forget about him. Concentrate on me." Mac smiled sadly. "But I don't have any sense. I want you to be happy... even at the expense of my own." He winked at her to let her know he was teasing her. "I think you ought to write him when you get home, Sarah. You could play it one of three ways. You could say that you never showed up and felt guilty about making him wait. Or you could tell him you were there and wondered what happened to him. Or you could completely ignore that you were ever supposed to meet, and just pick up where you left off in e-mails."

Mac grinned. "The first option is too much like 'An Affair to Remember', and the third one... no, I just don't think I could ignore it. So I guess it's option number two."

"And if he doesn't answer your e-mail, you'll pretty well know, I guess," Sam suggested.

Mac grinned. "I'll let you know how it all works out."

Sam pulled her into his arms and kissed her lightly. "I'm glad you trusted me enough to share this with me, Sarah. That means a lot to me."

"Thank you for putting up with me tonight, Sam. It was pretty awful of me to unload on you like that."

"Not at all. I'm glad you felt you could." He stood up and pulled her with him. "Let me walk you back to your cabin."

Sam kept his arm around Mac's waist as they made their way through the wider corridors. Then he let her walk in front of him through the narrower ones. As they passed some of the men, Mac noticed their eyes wander over her body. Sam noticed it, too. There were even a couple of men who dared to whistle at Mac after they passed. It wasn't often they saw a women dressed in a slinky black dress aboard an amphib!  They reached her cabin and she opened the door. Turning back to Sam, Mac saw that quite a few men were gathered up the hall and watching them. So she slipped her arms around Sam's neck and kissed him fully on the mouth. "Thank you, Sam," she purred. "I had a lovely evening."

"I'm sorry it has to end here."

"I am, too," she pulled his face back to hers and kissed him again.

Only this time, Sam pulled her closer to him as well.  He whispered in her ear, "If it doesn't work out between you, Sarah, call me."

She nodded as she pulled away. "Good night, Sam."

Thursday, 26 June 2003
0245 MDT
EnRoute to Washington, DC

The flight attendant passed their row and smiled at Harm. He returned her smile... not his trademark smile, just a small one of acknowledgement. His thoughts were on the sleeping Marine whose head was in his lap. He stroked Mac's hair as she laid there; she'd been so exhausted that she fell asleep almost as soon as they took off from the San Diego airport. After only 5 minutes of slumber, Harm felt her lean against his shoulder. And 10 minutes later, she was curled up with her legs on the seat next to her and her head in Harm's lap.

Harm knew he'd waited too long to let Mac know how he felt. He'd never wanted to make a commitment, and he knew that's what Mac wanted. Love, marriage, a family. But she had made it very clear in recent weeks that she wasn't waiting for him any longer. He wondered if he'd made a mistake. He looked down at Mac's sweet face and breathed, 'I sure did. Probably the biggest mistake of my life, too.'

They'd been in the air for a good while when Mac began to get restless in her sleep. She tossed her head back and forth, and her arms flailed around her. Harm managed to keep her from hitting him in the face, but he had to hold her arms down for a couple of minutes until she settled down. He spoke softly to her as he released the vice grip on her arms and resumed stroking her hair. "It's okay, Mac. Sssh, settle down and sleep, Ninja Girl." He moved his hand to her face and traced the outline of her eyes, ran his finger down her nose, and gently teased her ears.

Mac sighed in her slumber, "Mmm, that feels nice."

Harm smiled and whispered, "You like that, do you?"

"Mmm hmm," she purred. Then she giggled, "Fourth of July."

Before Harm had time to process that last bit, he felt something wet on her face. He looked down and saw that she was crying in her sleep. "Mac? What's wrong, Honey? Why are you crying?"

"I miss you," she murmured.

"I'm right here, Mac. Why do you miss me?" Harm asked, a bit confused.

She sighed heavily and her words were so garbled, Harm had trouble understanding her at first. But when she repeated herself the second time, he could finally make out her words. "Oooh, Strike. Want a home run..."

Harm chuckled to himself. 'Leave it to Mac to be thinking of a baseball game while she's sleeping!'

About an hour later, Harm had just fallen asleep as Mac stirred. She was surprised to find herself laying down across the seats and even more so that her head was in Harm's lap and his arms were around her. She tried to sit up without waking him, but that was an impossible task. "Well, good morning, Sleepyhead," Harm said softly.

Mac smiled and pushed her hair out of her face. "Where are we?"

Harm replied, "My guess would be West Virginia. Probably at about 20,000 feet now; we've already started our descent."

"I didn't mean to conk out on you like that, Harm. Sorry," she whispered.

He smiled, "I was happy to be your pillow."

Mac straightened up in her seat as the flight attendant walked past. Mac stopped her. "May I have a cup of coffee, please? Strong and black."

The flight attendant nodded and looked at Harm. "Nothing for me just now, thanks," he told her. As she walked away, Harm said, "When did you start dreaming about baseball, Mac?"

Mac's eyes grew wide and she turned to face Harm. "What do you mean?"

"You were dreaming about striking out and wanting a home run," he told her.

Mac blushed profusely. Fortunately with the lights so dim in the cabin, Harm couldn't see her embarrassment. "I guess I'm just looking forward to the new season for the JAG softball team," she lied. Harm chuckled. "Did I say anything else?" Mac asked, trying to sound casual.

"You said 'I miss you'. Oh, and you said something about July 4th," Harm remembered. Mac's eyes welled with tears as she remembered Strike. She quickly tried to climb over Harm and head for the lavatory, but Harm saw her tears and quickly pulled her back to him. "Mac? What is it? What's wrong?"

"Let me go, Harm. Please," she begged.

"Not until I know you're okay. You were crying in your sleep, too. What's going on, Mac?" he held her fast.

Mac finally relaxed in his arms. "It's not important, Harm. I'm in love, that's all," she whispered to him. "And I don't think he loves me back."

"He's a damned fool if he doesn't," Harm blurted out. Mac turned confused eyes to him. Then he softened his voice and continued, "And it is important, Mac." He kissed her cheek gently. "Captain Huddleston?" he asked.

Mac looked surprised. "No. Why would you think that?"

"I heard about your dinner last night, Mac. And the kiss you shared at your door."

Mac grinned. "Sam and I had a very nice dinner, and I thanked him for the evening with a kiss. That's all it was, Harm."

Harm seemed satisfied. "One of these many dates you've had lately, then?" he asked. Mac shook her head. Harm offered, "You want to talk about it?"

She shook her head. "But, thanks."

"Offer's always open, you know. Just say the word, Mac."

Mac smiled genuinely at him as he helped her to her feet. As Mac headed down the aisle to the lavatory, Harm remembered exactly what Mac had said: 'Fourth of July!' "And she giggled when she said it," he remembered, too. Mac stepped into the bathroom and closed the door just as realization came to Harm. "Oh, my God!" His face was still bright red when the flight attendant returned with Mac's coffee.

Thursday, 26 June 2003
0715 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac sat in front of the computer debating on what to say in her note to Strike. She started typing several times, only to clear the screen and start over again. She wanted to get this note off to him before she headed in to the office. When she got home from the airport in the wee hours, she'd showered, cooked and eaten a big breakfast, and dressed for work. She'd now been in front of the computer for over an hour. And finally, she was happy with her words. "Short and to the point. Perfect," she decided aloud.

Dear Strike,

I was sorry to miss meeting you on Saturday. I hope there's nothing wrong, and you were just unable to find the time to meet last weekend... or that perhaps you simply changed your mind. I was surprised when I didn't hear from you. Please reply just to let me know that you're okay; it will set my mind at ease. Thanks.

...Pod

Thursday, 26 June 2003
1945 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ logged on as soon as he got home. He really hoped there would be something from Pod tonight. Truth be told, he had made a deal with himself that if there was no note waiting for him this evening, he would not spend another moment thinking about Theropod. Of course, that would have proven much more difficult than he knew.

"Hot damn!" he exclaimed upon seeing a new note in his in-basket. But when he opened and read it, he was shocked. "I wasn't there? Where the hell did she say we should meet?" AJ went back through all his notes, even though he knew them all word for word. The Mall. That's all they had said. They'd find each other on the Mall.

Dear, Sweet Pod, I am so sorry we missed each other on Saturday. I assure you, I was at the Mall looking for you. In fact, I waited until 6:00 that evening, ever the hopeful lover. I don't know how we missed each other, but next time, we'll have to be more specific in an exact location. The Mall does cover a great deal of territory.

You didn't mention it, but I'm sure you wondered about my disappearing on Friday night. My phone connection died, and I couldn't get back online until a little after 1 on Saturday morning. You were gone, which didn't surprise me. And I planned to tell you what happened when we met that afternoon. When I didn't see you nor hear from you, I assumed you had gone on another spur-of-the-moment trip for work. I wouldn't let myself believe that you'd changed your mind. I thought it, but I refused to believe it, not after what we shared... egotistical man that I am.

I'm very glad that you wrote today, Pod. I've missed our talks. And I do still want to meet you. More now than ever before. Please tell me that you want it, too? --Strike

"I should have known she was there on Saturday. I shouldn't have just sat there; I should have kept walking the Mall until I found her," he berated himself. "God, I hope she still wants to meet..."

Thursday, 26 June 2003
2110 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac's joyful tears finally cleared enough that she could see the screen in front of her. She took a tissue and wiped the wetness from her face... then from her keyboard.

Oh, Strike!

You've made me a very happy woman tonight! I just found it so difficult to believe that you would stand me up and not even write to tell me why you couldn't make it. Egotistical? You? Somehow I find that very difficult to believe. You haven't sounded at all egotistical. Wonderful, yes. Sexy, yes. But egotistical? Not a chance.

Yes! I do still want to meet you, and I have desperately missed you this week! You choose the location this time, Darling.

...Pod

Thursday, 26 June 2003
2155 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

"Yes, Mr. Secretary," AJ said over the cordless phone. "I understand the importance of the assignment."

"And you understand that it has to be someone with a very specific skill set?" the SecNav asked.

AJ sighed, "Yes, Sir. And I do have one person who fits the skill requirements."

"You don't sound too happy about that, AJ."

"She's not someone I want to lose from my office... now or anytime in the near future," AJ admitted.

"She?" Sheffield questioned. "And here I thought you were going to say Commander Rabb."

"No, Sir. Rabb doesn't speak any language other than English. Nor does he have the experience with handheld weaponry required. The only person on my staff who does meet all the requirements is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie."

"Do you think this is something she'd agree to, AJ?  It's a difficult assignment for anyone.  But for a woman?"

"Mac is a Marine, Mr. Secretary. She'd agree to any assignment I requested she take.  And she'll do a damned fine job... as good or better than any man would do."

"She never balks? I've never known anyone not to balk at an assignment at some point in their career," Sheffield stated.

AJ thought back to a few cases over the years when Mac requested to be excused. He hadn't granted it. And she went forward with the cases and did her absolute best. The only case he'd actually excused her from was one where she had incriminating evidence against a witness, and she therefore she didn't think it was right to represent either party.  AJ thought well of her request to be excused; it was to protect the fairness of the trial.  "Mac never balks, Sir. She does whatever's asked of her." 

AJ thought then of Theropod and what she said about her work and having to take on cases that she didn't want to handle. 'They sound a lot alike, Pod and Mac,' he thought, just as the new mail chime sounded in his study. AJ walked into the study and sat in front of the computer, reading Pod's e-mail as the SecNav continued their conversation.

"Very well. Then I'll expect you and the Colonel at the Pentagon first thing in the morning. The briefing will begin at 8:00. Be in my office by 7:45."

"Will do, Mr. Secretary. Good night." AJ didn't wait to hear the SecNav's farewell; he hung up the phone and immediately started typing.

Sweet, Precious Pod, I'm very glad that you still want to meet.  I've been looking forward to it for weeks now.  Let's try Saturday at the Mall again, shall we?  But this time, I'll be waiting for you at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; I'll be standing by the sculpture of the Three Servicemen.  It's the only statuary by the Wall.  And to be doubly sure we don't miss each other, I'll be carrying a dinosaur!  

I'll be there at noon.  We can have lunch together and then spend the afternoon getting to know each other better.  And I do believe it's my turn to bring a smile to your face... and perhaps hear you utter my name in ecstasy as I did yours not too long ago?  Sound good to you?   --Strike

AJ wondered where he would find a dinosaur. He made a mental note to ask Bud or Harriett the next day. He sent the note, shut down his computer, and picked up the phone.  He dialed Mac's apartment, thinking of how so many times over the last few years he'd dreamed of Mac's calling his name that way.   

Thursday, 26 June 2003
2245 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac heard the new mail chime on her computer just as the phone rang.  "Damn," she swore.  She so wanted to see if it was a note from Strike, but she knew she'd better grab the phone.  At this late hour, it was probably important.  "Hello?"

"Good evening, Colonel," AJ said.

"Hello, Admiral," she replied, her heart doing a little flip at the sound of his voice.  It wasn't often he called her directly.  He usually had Tiner call her.  "What can I do for you, Sir?"

"The SecNav has a new assignment... position... for you, Mac.  There's to be a briefing in the morning at the Pentagon at 0800.  You and I are to meet with Sheffield in his office at 0745."

"A new position, Sir?  Local or ..." she let the thought hang.

"Both, actually," he replied.  "You'll be based locally, but most of the actual work will be abroad."

"Oh," she said in a small shaky voice.

"Problem?" he asked.

"No, Sir.  No problem," Mac's voice was back to its normal strength.  "Is this a permanent reassignment, Admiral?  Or just temporary?"  When he didn't answer her right away, she continued, "Sir, I want you to know that I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at JAG.  Working for you has been the most rewarding experience of my career.  I would definitely want to come back if that would be possible, Admiral."

"Thank you, Mac," AJ said softly.  "Having you in my command has been a pleasure.  I'll do what I can to bring you back to JAG when this is over."

"Any idea how long this assignment will last, Sir?" Mac asked.

"At least a year, Mac.  Possibly longer."

"I see.  Very well, Admiral.  I'll see you at the SecNav's office at 0745 tomorrow."

"Good night, Mac," AJ said softly, hanging up and heading for his bedroom.

"Good night, Sir."  Mac had caught herself just before she sighed audibly.  It wouldn't do to let the Admiral know she was so disappointed.  True, she didn't want to leave JAG... but she also didn't want to leave town.  Not now.  Not with her relationship with Strike so new.  "What relationship?!" she contradicted her thoughts.  "I haven't even met the man!  And when I do, who knows if we'll really hit it off?"  She determined that nothing would interfere in her dedication to her job.

Then she read his note.  "Oooh, Strike!" she wailed.

Friday, 27 June 2003
1345 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ and Mac entered the JAG bullpen together. Seeing the Admiral walk through the door, Tiner called out, "Attention on deck!"

AJ returned with, "At ease." Unusual for him, and it caught his people by surprise. But they didn't show it. They shifted their stance to 'at ease' position and waited. "Who are we missing?" AJ asked, looking around.  Harm and Sturgis came out of the break room. Seeing everyone standing 'at ease', they immediately took that position, as well.

AJ looked at Mac and tried to smile. "Now that we're all here, I have an announcement to make. Colonel MacKenzie is being reassigned, effective immediately. She will be reporting directly to the CNO. Her new position is classified on a need-to-know basis, so don't ask about it. None of you need to know," he tried to make it sound like a joke, but it fell flat. "Her office will be at the Pentagon, though she'll spend little time in it, I'm sure." He looked around at the stunned faces of his team. Yes, they would miss her as much as he would. Well, almost as much. 'Thank God I have Pod to look forward to now. I wonder if she'll be online to chat tonight?'

About an hour later, AJ remembered the dinosaur. He buzzed Tiner and asked to see either Lieutenant Roberts or Sims. Because Tiner saw Bud first, it was he who knocked on the Admiral's door. "Enter!" AJ called out.

"You wanted to see me, Sir?"

"Personal question, Bud. Where would I find a dinosaur?" AJ asked immediately.

Bud blinked hard. "Excuse me, Admiral?  Did you say, a... dinosaur?"

"Yes, a dinosaur. You know, like a Tyrannosaurus Rex," AJ explained.

"A dinosaur," Bud gulped.

"A stuffed one would be perfect. Or a plastic model of one. Something like that."

Bud finally got his composure back... somewhat.  "Well, Sir, I would think that probably a toy store like FAO Schwartz would have one. Actually, you might ask Colonel MacKenzie, Sir. She's very into dinosaurs, you know. She'd probably know the best place to get one."

"True. I'd forgotten that she was a dinosaur buff. Thank you, Lieutenant," AJ said in dismissal. He decided to call FAO Schwartz before he asked anyone else. He didn't want that many people to know he was buying a stuffed dinosaur.

As luck would have it, the famous toy store did have a dinosaur.  The sales clerk said it was rather large, but AJ didn't care.  His only other choice was a stuffed Barney, and he did NOT want that.  He assumed "rather large" would be about two feet tall.  That would be okay.  He had the girl put a hold on it for him; he'd pick it up on his way home that evening.

Friday, 27 June 2003
2010 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ walked into the house carrying the dinosaur.  The large dinosaur.  The very large dinosaur.  "Why on earth didn't she tell me this thing was FIVE feet tall?  'Rather large.'  Hell, this thing is huge!" 

He dropped the dinosaur on the sofa and it promptly rolled off onto the floor.  AJ grabbed it before Random got to it, and he decided to put it on the recliner.  "Maybe it'll keep you off the chair!" AJ laughed as he scratched behind the dog's ears.

He was hungry.  He'd eaten very little all day.  But before he made supper, he decided to check his e-mail.  He really hoped that Pod would agree to meet tomorrow.  He couldn't remember the last woman he'd been so excited about.  As he logged on, he saw her note.  He read it through a second time.  "I can't believe this.  It seems like the fates are conspiring against us!"

Dearest Strike,

I'm so sorry, but I won't be able to meet you this weekend. I have to go out of town on business. Actually, I'll be traveling a lot for the foreseeable future.  I guess we'll have to put our meeting on hold for a bit longer.  I'm disappointed, to say the least.  I was so looking forward to meeting you... and then some!  

If you still want to exchange notes and chat back and forth, I should be able to access the Internet while I'm traveling.  I'm hoping you'll agree.  I don't want to lose you before I even had a chance to know you.

...Pod

AJ went to the kitchen and made a sandwich for supper.  He had no desire any longer for a big meal.  That eaten, he returned to the computer and carefully prepared his reply.

Dearest Pod, Of course I understand about your work taking you out of town.  But surely you'll be home sometime in the next few weeks?  My schedule is usually very flexible on the weekends, and even most week nights.  If you give me even just a day's notice, I should be able to rearrange anything I might have and meet you.  But if this simply won't work, yes, I'd like to continue conversing through notes until we can actually meet.  

In hopes that you will agree, may I make some plans for us for Independence Day?  Or do you know already that you will be out of town then?  --Strike

Friday, 27 June 2003
2100 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac opened the note from Strike and thrilled at his words.  "He really wants to meet me!  He'd even rearrange his schedule to meet me on a moments' notice," she sighed.  "I've never known anyone who'd do that before.  Well, except the Admiral.  I think he would," she smiled to herself.  She'd thought once or twice over the last couple of weeks how similar Strike and the Admiral seemed.  'I wonder if that's why I'm so attracted to Strike?' she mused.

Mac signed on to AIM in hopes that Strike would be logged on.  She wasn't disappointed.

Friday, 27 June 2003
2105 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ picked up the dinosaur and sat in the recliner, holding the stuffed animal in his arms.  "I really wanted to give this to her tomorrow," he sighed.  "I wonder if she really wants to meet or if she's just making excuses?"  He turned the dinosaur around so he could see its face.  "Probably excuses, hmm?"  He shook his head and sighed.  "I'm talking to a stuffed dinosaur.  Worse than talking to the dog."

"Woof!" she barked, as though to say, "And just what is wrong with talking to me?!"

"Sorry about that, Random," AJ apologized to her and rubbed her ears.  He heard the AIM arpeggio indicating the receipt of a new message.  "It's Pod!"  He jumped up from the chair and ran into the study, tossing the dinosaur on the sofa as he passed.  Sure enough, her message was there on the screen.

Theropod: Hello, Strike!  I'm glad you're online tonight.

AJ quickly typed a reply.

Strike1Ball3: So am I, if it means talking to you, Pod.  

Theropod:  I'm sorry about tomorrow.

Strike1Ball3: So am I.  

Theropod:  Your idea of planning something for the 4th sounds wonderful.  As far as I know now, I should be home then.  It could change, but if you're willing to play it a day at a time...

Strike1Ball3: I am.  If you're sure you want to meet me. 

Theropod:  Oh, Strike, I am sure I want to meet you.  Please believe that.  I was so tempted to tell my boss to take a hike this time... but I couldn't.  You do understand that, don't you?

Strike1Ball3: Of course I do, Pod.  I just wanted to be sure.  

Theropod:  You can be.

Strike1Ball3: I had to give one of my people a pretty nasty assignment recently, myself.  It came from my boss.  I wanted to tell him to stuff it, but like you said... I couldn't.

Theropod:  <sigh>  I wish tomorrow would work.  

Strike1Ball3: Don't fret about it, Pod.  Dino will still be here on the 4th. 

Theropod:  Dino?

Strike1Ball3: I told you I'd have a dinosaur with me.  

Theropod:  You're serious?  You bought a dinosaur?

Strike1Ball3: I sure did.

Theropod:  That's too funny!

Strike1Ball3: I'm not taking any chances that we miss each other again!

Theropod:  <ROFL!!!>

Strike1Ball3: I hope you like him.  He's 'rather large'.

Theropod:  How big is 'rather large'?

Strike1Ball3: You'll find out soon enough.  <LOL>

Theropod:  Oh my.

Strike1Ball3: I also still have that 'little' something for you!

Theropod:  Red, I hope? <giggle>.

Strike1Ball3: You know it!  So, what time do you have to leave tomorrow?  

Theropod:  Early.  I have to be at the airport at 6.

Strike1Ball3: That is early.  

Theropod:  Especially for a Saturday! 

Strike1Ball3: You like to sleep in on Saturdays, I take it?

Theropod:  Oh, yeah!

Strike1Ball3: I do, too.  Especially so if I had you in bed with me.  

Theropod:  Oooh!  That's not fair!

Strike1Ball3: What's not?

Theropod:  Saying something like that when I can't be there!

Strike1Ball3: Do you want to be?  In bed with me?

Theropod:  Strike, there's no other place I'd rather be right now than in your arms and in your bed.

Strike1Ball3: Oh, Darlin'!  I think it's your turn to sit back and enjoy something.

Theropod:  Enjoy what?

Strike1Ball3: My making love to you, Pod.

Theropod:  Now?  Here?

Strike1Ball3: Now.  There.

Theropod:  Oh, yessss...

Strike1Ball3: Hush now, Pod.  Don't type... just feel.  Feel my hands on you as I pull you up from your chair and carry you to the bedroom. 

Mac's phone began to ring. She didn't ignore it. She simply didn't hear it; she was already completely consumed in what Strike was doing to her.  Several minutes passed and Mac was completely consumed by his words.  

This time it was AJ's phone that rang. He did ignore it. There was no way he was going to stop in the middle of this. He wouldn't do that to Pod.  Too soon, he wrote:  

Strike1Ball3: Oh, Pod...  

Theropod:  Mmmm...

Strike1Ball3: Are you okay, Sweetheart? 

Theropod:  Talk about a homerun...

Strike1Ball3: Was it good?  

Theropod:  I had no idea how good cyber sex could really be.

Strike1Ball3: There was no cyber in this, Darlin'. I was right there with you.  

Theropod:  I so wish you were here.

Strike1Ball3: So do I, Pod. So do I.  

Theropod:  So good. I feel soooo good.

Strike1Ball3: I'm glad. But it's getting late now. And I'll bet you haven't even packed yet, have you?

Theropod:  Uh uh. Sure haven't.

Strike1Ball3: Then I need to let you go so you can do that. 

Theropod:  I suppose so.

Strike1Ball3: Good night, Sweet Theropod.

Theropod:  Good night... ha! I can't call you Strike anymore... not with that homerun!

Strike1Ball3: <LOL> For now, just stick with Strike, Darlin'.

Theropod:  Okay. Good night, my wonderful Strike.

When they hung up, AJ went into the bathroom and got a washcloth.  'I wonder if she realized what I meant when I said I was right there with her?'

Saturday, 28 June 2003
0605 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ laid in bed, thinking of Pod.  He wished they were going to actually meet today, but that wasn't going to happen.  If he'd thought to ask her which airport she was leaving from, he could have been there and surprised her.  Then again, that probably wouldn't have been the best thing, he decided.  Hello and goodbye as their first meeting?  No, that was definitely not the best thing.

He rolled over and looked at the clock, wishing he had Mac's sense of time.  'Mac!'  He'd meant to call her last night and wish her well on this first leg of her new assignment.  And he'd gotten so involved with Pod, he hadn't called Mac.  He grabbed the phone and dialed her cell number.  He knew her flight was early this morning, and knowing her, she was probably already at Andrews.

"Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie," Mac spoke into her cell phone.

"Good morning, Mac," AJ said. 

"Admiral!  Good morning, Sir."

"I just wanted to call and wish you well.  I knew you had an early flight this morning, and I hope I didn't call at a bad time."

"No, Sir.  It's perfect, actually.  I'm at Andrews, and they're not quite finished checking the plane, so no one's on board yet."

"Good."

"I'm glad you called, Sir.  It means a lot to me."

"You mean a lot to me, Mac," AJ said quietly.  Mac smiled, wishing he was there so she could kiss him goodbye.  "I wish I'd thought to be there when you left this morning.  Then again, it's probably best that I'm not there."

"Why is that, Sir?"

"I'd probably haul off and kiss you goodbye.  Get both of us in trouble!" he chuckled.

Mac bit her lip so she wouldn't gasp into the phone.  "I'd have liked that," she whispered into the mouthpiece.

"So would I, Mac."  He paused, and then continued, "You take care of yourself, Marine.  And when you're finished out there, I'll do my best to get you back in JAG, if that's what you still want."

"Thank you, Admiral."

"Let us hear from you now.  Don't be a stranger," AJ told her.

"I won't.  And when I'm in town, I'll be sure to drop by JAG."

"You do that."

"They're boarding now, Sir.  I have to go," Mac said reluctantly.

"Okay.  Stay safe, Sarah."

"I will, AJ.  Bye."

It wasn't until he'd hung up that he realized he'd called her 'Sarah'.  "And she called me 'AJ'," he grinned to himself.  Yes, it was definitely a good thing he hadn't gone to Andrews this morning.

Saturday, 28 June 2003
0915 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ finished his morning run, showered, ate breakfast, and now sat in front of the computer.  He decided to write Pod a note so it would be there the next time she was able to log on.  He remembered her saying in her Match.com profile that she liked flowers and love notes.  "I just wish there was a way I could send her flowers," he muttered to himself.

His phone rang and he reached to pick it up.  "Chegwidden!"

"Good morning, Admiral," Bud's voice came over the wire.  

"Good morning, Bud.  What's up?"

"Sir, I was just reading the morning news, and I found an article about Match.com.  I didn't know if your daughter is still involved in it, so I thought I'd let you know about it.  It's a very positive article, Admiral."

"She is, Bud.  In fact, she met someone and they appear to be getting rather serious."

"That was fast," Bud replied without thinking.

"Yes, well, apparently even her mother likes this guy.  So..."

"Actually, Sir, they say that when people meet on Match.com and do a lot of corresponding before they actually meet, their relationship grows deeper much faster than if they meet early on.  I guess that's because they tend to share more about each other in notes."

'You don't know the half of it, Lieutenant,' AJ sighed to himself.  "I imagine that's true, Bud.  So which paper is this article in?"

"Not the paper, Sir.  Online."  Bud gave him the URL address and AJ thanked him.

"Oh!  One thing, Bud.  I don't suppose you know how to send flowers to someone... when you don't... know... where she is?" AJ asked haltingly, feeling like a complete fool.  Of course he wouldn't know.  How could you possibly send flowers to an unknown address?

"You mean online, Sir?  Like virtual flowers?" Bud asked.

"Virtual flowers?"

"Yes, Sir.  You can send flowers to an e-mail address.  They aren't real, of course, but the thought is there.  And sometimes when you can't really send flowers because of her location or because she's traveling or whatever, virtual flowers at least lets her know you're thinking of her."

"How do I do that?" AJ asked.

"My favorite is the Phillip's site, Sir.  I used it a lot to send Harriett flowers when I was on the carrier."  Bud gave him that URL, too.  

They hung up and AJ immediately entered the URL:  www.800florals.com/virtual/.  He clicked on Virtual Flowers and looked through all of them.  Then he backed up and clicked on More Virtual Flowers.  "Perfect!" he said as he chose the 'Endearing Spirit' arrangement.  He scrolled down and entered the required information.  Then he typed his message:

I'm thinking of you, Pod. No matter where you are, know that you're always on my mind. Looking forward to the day when we finally meet face to face and I can hold you in my arms.   --Strike

AJ clicked on Send and was pleased with himself.  "She'll like that."

Sunday, 29 June 2003
2100 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ sat on the sofa and flipped through the channels on the TV.  He really didn't feel like doing much of anything tonight.  He guessed he was a little depressed, what with both Pod and Mac gone.  He was surprised as he caught sight of a familiar scene.  He watched for another moment and knew.  "Random Harvest!  How about that!"  

AJ settled in and watched Theropod's favorite movie... and his mother's.  As the movie played on, he found himself remembering Pod's words about watching a movie:

"I'm a huge fan of old movies.  And there's no better way to watch a movie on TV than while snuggled up against a man's chest with his arms around me.  Mmm, nope... no better way.  And if his hands start to wander... well, maybe I don't care so much about the movie after all."

Continue to part 5.