Little Mac Riding Hood

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others.

Summary: AJ tells little AJ what can happen when you talk to strangers. Of course, with Mac as Little Red Riding Hood, AJ would much rather be the Big Bad Wolf.

Author's comments: This one's for Naīma and her Wolf!! I'm still in denial about AJ's declaration of love to Meredith, so just figure that never happened. In fact, let's just assume that he's already dumped her! And I refuse to use the name they gave his dog, so for this story, she hasn't been named yet. Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').

Saturday, 1 March 2003
1315 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

Admiral AJ Chegwidden heard the doorbell ring and knew his charge had finally arrived. As he made his way through the living room toward the front door, he could hear crying. He pulled the door open and saw his young namesake in his mother's arms, dissolved in tears. AJ spoke above the wailing, "Good afternoon, Harriett. Bud." He nodded to the child's parents. "Come on in."

AJ stepped aside and allowed the young family to enter. "I'm sorry about this, Admiral," Bud said above the din.

"What seems to be the problem?" AJ asked. "Does he not want to stay here with me?"

Bud quickly answered, "Oh, no, Sir! He's thrilled to stay here with you, Admiral. It's just that... well, Sir..."

Harriett interrupted, "Little AJ ran away from us at the park just now." As Harriett spoke, the boy stopped crying and lifted his head from his mother's shoulder, glaring at her.

AJ raised his eyebrow in question at the child. "Did you do that?" he asked him.

The little boy nodded.

"We found him talking with a man," said Bud.

"He was holding the man's hand. And it looked like the man was just about to pick AJ up and walk away with him." Harriett struggled not to start crying again herself.

"Now, Sweetie, you don't know that. I didn't think it looked that way at all," Bud tried to ease his wife's nerves.

AJ spoke to little AJ again. "Did you know the man, AJ?"

The child shook his head. "No, Sir," he hiccupped.

"But you walked up to him and took his hand?" Little AJ nodded. "AJ, do you know the story about 'Little Red Riding Hood'?"

The child shook his head. AJ turned questioning eyes to his parents. Harriett explained, "That's a little girl story, Admiral."

AJ shook his head. "No more so than 'Peter and the Wolf' is a little boy story, Harriett." AJ reached to take his namesake from Harriett's arms. "You two go ahead and enjoy your afternoon and evening. Young AJ and I are going to have a fine time together... learning all about Little Red Riding Hood."

Just before Bud and Harriett left, they heard a loud "Woof!" from the kitchen. AJ walked to the kitchen and opened the door. A large German Shepherd trotted into the living room and immediately sniffed at both Bud and Harriett. Then she turned and raised her head to sniff at little AJ in her master's arms. "Woof!" she barked again.

AJ reached a hand down and patted the dog's head. "It's okay, Girl. Go lay down." The dog obeyed and laid down on the rug in front of the crackling fireplace.

"I didn't know you had a dog, Admiral?" Harriett croaked.

AJ smiled at the resting beast. "Had her about 10 days now. She was abandoned, evidently."

Bud's eyes registered understanding. "Oh! She's the dog who helped you find your way out of the forest last week, isn't she, Sir?"

"That's right, Bud," AJ answered. He turned his attention to the child in his arms. "You like dogs, AJ?"

The boy nodded, "Uh huh."

Bud and Harriett were both now a mite nervous about leaving their young son with the Admiral... and a stray German Shepherd. But leave him, they did. As they drove away from the Admiral's house, Harriett suggested, "I think I'll just call Colonel MacKenzie and see if she wouldn't just check on them in a few hours."

Bud nodded, "Maybe that's a good idea."

Harriett took her cell phone from her purse and dialed Mac's number. "Hello?" she heard over the line.

"Colonel? It's Harriett."

"Well, hi. What's up?" Mac asked. It wasn't often that Harriett called her at home.

"I just wondered if you'd do me a favor, Ma'am?"

"What's that, Harriett?"

"Bud and I just left little AJ at the Admiral's house. We'd forgotten about that big dog he brought home last week, and I'm just a little nervous about..."

"You left AJ with the Admiral?" Mac repeated. "Why didn't you just call me, Harriett?"

"Actually, the Admiral is the one who suggested he keep little AJ today," Harriett explained. "Bud mentioned our wanting to have some time to ourselves, and the Admiral offered to keep AJ for us. I think he's kind of missed being with people. He doesn't like staying home, you know. But that dog..."

Mac laughed to herself. Harriett hadn't liked Jingo either, but little AJ had adored her old dog. "I'm sure everything will be fine, Harriett. The Admiral will be careful with AJ. You know that."

"I know... but after what just happened in the park..." Harriett whined.

"What happened in the park?" asked Mac. Harriett told Mac the whole story. When she finished, Mac said, "Sounds like little AJ forgot about Little Red Riding Hood."

"I believe the Admiral is telling him that story this afternoon," replied Harriett. "We haven't told him that one before."

A fleeting thought floated through Mac's mind and she almost giggled. "Would you like me to check on them after a while, Harriett?" Mac offered, knowing now why Harriett really called.

"If you wouldn't mind, Colonel. That would be so nice... and I'd feel so much better about it."

"Not to worry, Harriett. I'll drop by the Admiral's house and offer to help with the babysitting."

As they hung up, Mac wondered what she'd use as an excuse for "dropping by". The Admiral's house wasn't anywhere near her apartment. "I know!" she thought aloud. "I'll take him some fruit and snacks to munch on. He said he enjoyed that basket of food last week; I'll just make up another one and take that with me."

That decided, Mac found an empty basket in her closet and went to the kitchen. She had just been shopping that morning, so she had everything she needed. She loaded up the basket with goodies, even tossing in a few of her favorite chocolate candy bars. "He'd better appreciate these. I don't share my Twix with just anybody."

Mac opened the coat closet to grab her leather jacket when she spied her old red wool cape. She couldn't help it; she burst into giggles as she pulled it out and swung it around her shoulders. She picked up the basket and walked to the bedroom. Standing in front of the mirror, she reached back and pulled the hood of her cape up over her head and held the basket in front of her. She laughed, "Little Red Riding Hood, indeed!"

Saturday, 1 March 2003
1435 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

The two AJs were sitting in the big leather desk chair in the study, little AJ sitting on big AJ's lap. "No! No!" little AJ cried out. "The Big Bad Wolf can't eat the Grandma! That's not right!"

Big AJ jostled the young boy on his knee. "Oh, but he did he eat her all up. And the only reason he found her was because Little Red Riding Hood told him where she was going and where the house was... after her Mommy and Daddy told her not to talk to any strangers." AJ spoke quietly, gently... but firmly.

Little AJ sniffed. "The Big Bad Wolf is a bad boy!"

"Yes, he is," agreed the elder AJ. "And Little Red Riding Hood was a naughty girl for disobeying for parents, wasn't she?" The child nodded reluctantly. "Now, press the button and let's see what happens next."

The child moved his hand to the computer mouse and moved it over the Turn Page button. "That's the Big Bad Wolf! That's him in her grandma's bed! Look out! Look out Little Red Riding Hood!"

As AJ read the words on the computer page, he remembered how he came upon this online storybook. And for the first time, he was actually glad for an unsolicited e-mail. Just this morning, he'd received an advertisement from some toy manufacturer, and he opened it before he realized what it was. As he moved the mouse to click on Delete, he missed... and clicked on an advertising link in the note which opened a Web page. He had no idea until then there was even such a thing on the Web: a collection of interactive, animated children's stories for free, unlimited use! So, as soon as Bud and Harriett had left, AJ took his small charge into the study, and they powered on the computer together.

Little AJ's sniffs brought the Admiral's attention back to the story. "It's the Big Bad Wolf!" he cried. "It's not your Grandma! Run away Little Red Riding Hood! Run away before he eats you all up!"

"Click on the button, AJ."

"No! No! He's gonna eat her!" the child cried.

Big AJ moved his hand to the mouse and clicked the button. The page turned and, much to both their surprise, Little Red Riding Hood did not get eaten! AJ thought to himself, 'I thought the woodsman came after the wolf had eaten the little girl? Hmm. I guess this was edited for little kids. Probably best this way,' he decided.

"Hooray! Hooray!" yelled the child. "Grandma is back!" He turned innocent eyes to the Admiral. "I like the Woodsman. He's a good boy."

AJ smiled. "Yes, he is, AJ."

"And Little Red Riding Hood is a good girl, too," the child added.

"Once she learned to obey her Mommy and Daddy," AJ amended. "What would have happened if the Woodsman hadn't come right then?"

The boy shuddered and hid his face in AJ's chest. "He would've eaten Little Red Riding Hood!"

"That's right. And all because she talked to a stranger."

Little AJ looked up. "That man in the park was like the Big Bad Wolf?"

AJ nodded. "He might have been. We don't know. Maybe he was a nice man. But maybe he was a bad man. We just don't know, AJ. That's why it's so important for you not to talk to strangers. And that's why it's so important that you always obey Mommy and Daddy. They know what's best for you, and they don't want you to get hurt."

The child tilted his head to one side and thought for a moment. "Are you the Woodsman?"

AJ chuckled as he heard the dog bark just before the doorbell rang. "Let's go see who's at the door, shall we?" The youngster crawled off AJ's lap and ran to the living room, ready to open the door. "AJ!" the Admiral bellowed.

The child stopped in his tracks. He turned around and stared, his eyes welling with tears. His Admiral AJ had never yelled at him like that before.

"What did we just talk about?" AJ asked sternly. The child didn't utter a sound. "Strangers?" AJ prompted, a bit softer. The boy nodded. "Now if you open that door, it's very likely to be a stranger. And what could happen?"

Little AJ's face paled and he whimpered, "It might be the Big Bad Wolf?"

"That's why you never open the door without a grownup with you, Son." AJ reached down and picked the child up in his arms. "Okay?" The boy nodded his agreement. "Good man!" AJ said, and the child's face lit into a smile again.

AJ opened the door just as the bell rang again. There stood Mac, dressed in her red cape with the hood up, holding a basket of food in front of her. "Look, Adm'l AJ! It's Little Red Riding Hood!"

AJ grinned, "More like Little Mac Riding Hood."

Saturday, 1 March 2003
1515 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

Little AJ recounted the entire story of Little Red Riding Hood to his Auntie Mac as they sat together on the sofa. "And then you came!" he told her. "All dressed like Little Red Riding Hood."

Mac smiled and heard the Admiral chuckle. She glanced over at him. "And what are you, the Big Bad Wolf?" she teased.

AJ's eyebrow shot up and a grin spread over his face before little AJ said, "Oh no, Auntie Mac. Adm'l AJ is the Woodsman, not the Big Bad Wolf!" Then he jumped down from Mac's lap and ran to the bathroom. "Potty time!"

AJ and Mac laughed as he ran to the other room. AJ picked up his glass of Coke and took a sip. "Which would you say I am, Little Mac Riding Hood?" he decided to tease her back.

Mac put her index finger to her forehead as though to help her think. "Let me see... Hmm... Well, the Woodsman would be the one who saves me. And the Big Bad Wolf would be the one who eats me." Mac grinned evilly and then added in a most seductive voice, "Mmm, tough choice."

AJ swallowed hard and the soda sloshed out of the glass as he set it back on the table in shock. Had Mac really just said that? To him? 'Good Lord, Mac!' He looked at her face and watched the red creep up her neck and suffuse her face.

Mac watched the affect her words had on the Admiral. He almost choked on his beverage, then he almost turned the glass over as he set it on the table. His eyebrows had shot up into his scalp and than narrowed together in almost a fraction of a second. And now he was staring at her, disbelievingly. "I'll get a napkin to wipe that up, Sir," she offered, jumping up and almost running to the kitchen. "I cannot believe I said that to him," she scolded herself as the swinging door closed behind her. Mac didn't know the Admiral had followed her into the kitchen. "What was I thinking?"

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Mac," he spoke quietly.

Mac whirled around and saw him standing just inside the doorway. "Admiral, I..." she stammered.

Next thing they knew, the dog howled from the other side of the door. AJ opened the door and she howled again. "What's wrong, Girl?" The dog whined.

And then they heard little AJ's voice calling from the bathroom. "Help! I need help!" AJ and Mac ran for the bathroom and found little AJ sitting on the commode. "Wipe!" he demanded.

The adults looked at each other and laughed. "Would you like me to take care of it, Sir?" Mac asked.

AJ shook his head. "I'll do it, Mac."

The two AJs returned to the living room and found Mac plopped on the floor with the dog's head in her lap. Mac looked up and said, "She's such a sweetheart. What did you name her?"

AJ shrugged. "Haven't yet. She hasn't liked anything I've called her so far, so she's still just 'Girl'."

"Doggie needs a name," little AJ informed him.

"Dog also needs a walk," big AJ announced. "Who wants to go?" he asked as he reached for the dog's leash. The dog immediately got up and wagged her tail. "Yeah, yeah... I know you want to go," he laughed, reaching down and rubbing the dog's ears.

"I do! I do!" exclaimed the child. "Can I go? Pleeease, can I go?"

Mac got to her feet and said, "Why don't we all go?" Then she thought better of it and looked at the Admiral, "If that's all right with you, Sir."

AJ nodded, "Sounds good to me." Mac put little AJ's coat on him and zipped it up while the Admiral donned his own jacket and attached the dog's leash to her collar. As Mac swung her cape over her shoulders, AJ chuckled. "Little Mac Riding Hood."

Little AJ corrected him, "Little Red Riding Hood."

Mac quipped, "Shall I bring my basket with me, or would that be too tempting for the Big Bad Wolf?"

To all who passed them on the road, they looked like a happy little family out walking the dog on a Saturday afternoon. Little AJ wanted to hold the dog's leash, but she pulled too hard for him to hold her. "Can I ride her?" he finally asked.

Mac laughed, "Sweetie, she's a dog, not a horse."

"She's big enough," the child argued.

"I don't think that's such a good idea, AJ," the Admiral replied. "Remember, I've only had her for 10 days. She's probably still a little afraid and nervous. It would be best just to pet her and love on her for now, okay?"

The child agreed, "Okay." Then he ran ahead to the dog and reached out and hugged her. "You're a nice doggie." The dog licked his face and AJ giggled. The child released the dog's neck but kept his hand on the top of her head, and they started walking again. Dog and boy in front, man and woman behind.

Mac turned to AJ and placed her hand gently on his arm. "Isn't that sweet?" she purred. "They're adorable together."

AJ smiled at the sight, and he reached his hand out and caught Mac's in his... almost as if it was the most natural thing to do. "Yes, they are, aren't they," he agreed. It was a good 10 minutes later before either of them realized they were still holding hands.

They'd been walking for almost an hour when the dog stopped and sat down in the middle of the sidewalk. Little AJ plopped down next to her and hugged her neck, the dog licking him again. "Looks like somebody's tired," Mac suggested as they closed the small distance between them. "Maybe we should head back now?"

AJ chuckled, "Actually, we're almost back to the house. Only about 10 more minutes."

The youngster looked up. "I'm tired. My legs won't move anymore."

Mac reached down and picked him up in her arms. "Then how about if I carry you the rest of the way, hmm?" The dog stood up immediately and wagged her tail. AJ put his little arms around Mac's neck and laid his head against her shoulder. Before they'd even started walking again, the boy was fast asleep in her arms. She turned to the Admiral, "You know, he's not the one who stopped. The dog stopped first. Then AJ sat down next to her. Did you notice that?" AJ nodded. "And now look at her... she's raring to go."

AJ grinned. "She's a smart dog. I guess she knew the boy was about to give out." Then he suggested, "Why don't you let me carry him, Mac? You take the dog."

She smiled, "Don't think I'm strong enough to carry a little tyke for 10 minutes, do you?"

"No reason you should have to..." he started, as he reached to take the boy into his own arms.

Mac interrupted, "When there's a big, strong, handsome Woodsman here to come to my rescue?"

"I thought you'd prefer my being the Big Bad Wolf," he teased as he handed her the dog's leash.

Saturday, 1 March 2003
1805 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

Little AJ woke up snuggled in Mac's arms on the sofa in the living room. He looked around the room and saw the dog asleep by the fireplace. His Admiral AJ was in the recliner, his feet up and his eyes closed. And Auntie Mac was sound asleep. The boy slipped out of her arms and off the sofa, plopping himself on the floor next to the dog. The dog lifted her head and licked AJ's face, and the boy giggled.

The Admiral opened his eyes at the sound and looked down at the pair on the floor. He smiled as the child hugged the dog and the dog thumped her tail. "You hungry, AJ?" he said quietly, trying not to disturb Mac's slumber.

The boy looked up and smiled, "Can we have s'getti?"

"You want spaghetti?" AJ repeated. The boy nodded. "Then you shall have spaghetti." AJ pushed the foot rest down and stood up. "I'll go start dinner. You want to help or stay in here with the dog?"

"I help!" Little AJ scampered to his feet and followed the Admiral into the kitchen.

AJ opened the freezer and pulled out a plastic container of spaghetti sauce. He set it in the sink and turned the faucet on, letting the water run over the container. He reached in the cabinet for a microwave sauce pot and a large cook pot. He filled the cook pot with water, covered it, and placed it on the stove, turning the burner to high heat. Then he turned off the faucet, removed the lid from the plastic container, and popped the frozen sauce into the microwave sauce pot. As he covered that and put it in the microwave to defrost and heat, he asked the child, "Do you want garlic bread?"

"Yippee!" the boy cried. "I love garlic bread!"

AJ chuckled at the child's exuberance. He turned the oven on to heat. Then he opened the freezer and took out the box of Texas Toast garlic bread slices. "How many?"

AJ held up two fingers. "Can I have two, please?"

"May I have two, please," Mac corrected him as she walked through the kitchen door.

"Auntie Mac wants two, too," the boy giggled and ran to hug her legs. Big AJ laughed. "You woke up!" the boy squealed.

"You want two, Mac?" the Admiral confirmed.

"Oh, Sir, I didn't plan to stay for dinner," Mac protested. "I was just going to be on my way, in fact..."

"Stay, Auntie Mac! We're having s'getti!"

"Spaghetti? Mmmm, how yummy." Mac looked at the pot on the stove and then up at the Admiral. "You're making it?"

"I had some sauce in the freezer from the last time I made it. Just warming that and cooking fresh pasta. And garlic bread." He placed six slices of bread on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven. "You will stay, of course?" he looked up at her.

She smiled. "I'd be delighted, Sir."

"I help!" little AJ told her.

"Me, too?" she offered.

"How about if you help AJ set the table?" the elder AJ suggested.

Fifteen minutes later, the three sat down to a nice hot spaghetti supper... with garlic bread, of course. Little AJ watched as the Admiral twirled his pasta on his fork and placed the spiral in his mouth. Then the Admiral picked up his piece of garlic bread and pulled off a small piece and dipped it in the sauce on his plate before eating it. Little AJ tried to copy what he'd seen. He put his little fork into the noodles and started twirling. It worked! He had a big wad on his fork! His little eyes grew wide with delight. But when he lifted the fork, the pasta fell back on the plate. Little AJ's smile faded, but he tried again. And again. And again.

Finally, big AJ took pity on him and leaned over to show him how to pick up his fork once it was full of pasta. The little tyke grinned from ear to ear as he shoved the huge wad into his mouth. He chewed and chewed and chewed, until finally it was gone. "Next time, don't twirl it so long, AJ, and it won't be so much on your fork. It's easier to eat when you take smaller bites, Son," the elder told him.

Little AJ nodded as he pulled off a piece of his garlic bread and dipped it in the sauce on his plate. Then he stuffed it in his mouth.

Mac watched the two of them, grinning from ear to ear through the entire dinner, little AJ copying every movement that big AJ made.

The spaghetti and garlic bread finally gone, Mac got up to get a washcloth. It hadn't taken little AJ two bites before he was completely covered in red sauce. Fortunately, big AJ had tucked a dishtowel under the boy's chin and Mac had rolled up his sleeves before they began eating, so it was only his face and hands and arms that were covered. But his clothes were fine! As Mac wiped the boy's face, she giggled, "Well, at least you didn't scratch your head during dinner. Or it would be in your hair, too!" Before she could blink, little AJ reached his hands up to his head and scratched. "AJ!" she squealed as he giggled and the elder AJ laughed.

"Looks like it would be easier to just give him a bath, Mac," he suggested.

"I think you're right," she agreed. "Okay, you! March! To the bathroom with you." Little AJ giggled as he ran to the bathroom.

"I'll take care of it, Mac," AJ told her.

"You'd rather bathe him than...?" she started to ask as he walked away.

Before she finished her question, he quipped, "No, I'd rather bathe you. But since he's the one covered in red sauce, I guess he needs the bath."

Mac blushed profusely at his words, even though he was no longer in the room. She heard the water start running in the bathtub, so she decided to go ahead and clear the table and wash the dishes.

Saturday, 1 March 2003
2035 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

Mac was just about to suggest that she leave when they heard a vehicle on the driveway. The dog raised her head but didn't move her body; the boy was asleep and his head was resting on her side.

"That'll be Bud and Harriett," said AJ, rising from the recliner and moving toward the door.

Mac wondered if she should pick up the little boy before his mother saw him snuggled up with the big dog, but she decided against it. AJ opened the door before Bud rang the bell. "Have a good afternoon?" AJ asked.

"Oh, it was great, Sir! Thank you so much for keeping AJ for us," gushed Bud as they walked inside. Bud looked over and saw Mac just getting up from the sofa. "Good evening, Ma'am."

Mac smiled, "Hello, Bud. Harriett."

"Where's AJ?" Harriett asked, not seeing her son on any of the furniture. Mac nodded toward the floor in front of the fireplace. Harriett's eyes grew wide and she gasped, "Oh!"

The dog raised her head again and looked up at Harriett. She thumped her tail lightly a couple of times. "Would you look at that?" chuckled Bud. "And you were concerned about the dog, Harriett."

"Oh, he took right to the dog," AJ informed them. "They've about been inseparable, in fact."

They watched as the dog moved slightly and nudged the boy with her muzzle to wake him. Little AJ hugged the dog tighter and she nudged him again. This time he woke up. "Mommy! Daddy!" he cried seeing them for the first time. He jumped to his feet and ran to hug their legs.

"Did you have fun with Admiral AJ and Auntie Mac today, Sweetheart?" asked Harriett as she lifted him in her arms.

"Uh huh! Adm'l AJ told me about Little Red Riding Hood and then we read the story on the compooter and then Auntie Mac came and she was dressed just like Little Red Riding Hood and she had a basket of food and then we took the dog for a reeeeally long walk and I got tired and we took a nap and then Adm'l AJ made s'getti and garlic bread for supper and I ate mine just like him and then he gave me a bath and..."

The adults were all laughing by now. "Like father, like son!" quipped Mac and AJ at the same time.

They gathered little AJ's belongings together and headed for the door. Mac grabbed her cape and threw it around her shoulders before they walked outside, causing Bud and Harriett to laugh. "You really do look like Little Red Riding Hood!" Bud told her.

"Where did you ever find a cape like that, Colonel?" Harriett laughed.

"I've had this old thing for years... since high school, actually. It was my favorite coat then; I've just never been able to part with it. I never wear it anymore, but I threw it on today... appropriately," she grinned and winked at Harriett.

"Don't you have a red cape for the Marines, Ma'am?" asked Bud.

"It's a red lining, actually, Bud. It's the formal outerwear, and it's gorgeous. But there's no hood," she sighed... and then laughed.

They loaded the Roberts into their van and waved goodbye. As they drove off, AJ and Mac returned to the living room. "I should be going now, too, Sir," Mac said looking around the room for her purse. She knew she'd brought it inside with her but she didn't see it.

"Your purse is in the kitchen, Mac. With the basket," AJ informed her.

She smiled and headed for the kitchen. "Thank you, Sir."

"No, thank you, Mac. For coming over today... bringing the basket of goodies... and helping me entertain the youngster."

"I had a good time. He's an adorable little guy," Mac said. She saw the basket of food on the counter, the Twix candy bars on top. She picked one up and shook it at him. "I hope you like these, Admiral. They're my absolute favorite chocolate bar."

He reached out and grabbed the candy from her hand. "Twix, hmm?" He ripped it open and pulled out one of the two long sticks, waving it teasingly in front of her face. "Your favorite, hmm?"

Mac moved quickly, opening her mouth and grabbing the end of the candy bar in her teeth. "Mmm hmm," she purred. AJ was startled at her movement, but not nearly as much as Mac was when he released his hand on the candy and replaced it with his mouth on the other end, biting off half of the stick and chewing.

They both chewed their ends of the first half of the candy bar. Then AJ pulled the second half from the wrapper and tossed the wrapper on the counter. He placed the bar in his mouth and looked deep into Mac's eyes. She stepped forward and leaned toward him, opening her mouth. He leaned toward her and she closed her mouth around the candy, brushing her lips against his. Neither of them bit down, the candy was still whole... half in his mouth, half in her mouth. AJ reached his arms out and pulled Mac's body closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and they found themselves kissing around a Twix bar.

The ringing doorbell jarred them back to their senses and AJ bit down, breaking the candy in two. Mac grabbed her purse and they headed for the front door. AJ pulled it open to find Bud. "Forget something, Bud?" AJ asked, trying to make his voice sound normal.

Bud nodded. "Sorry, Sir. But we forgot to get AJ's shoes."

Mac picked them up off the coffee table. "Here they are!" she chirped, handing them to Bud.

"Thank you, Ma'am. Sorry to bother you, Sir," Bud said.

"No bother at all, Bud," AJ replied. "Mac was just getting her things together to leave, too."

"Thanks, again, for dinner, Admiral. I enjoyed babysitting with you... and playing Little Red Riding Hood," she joked. Bud laughed and walked back to his van. AJ walked Mac out to her car as Bud and Harriett drove away again.

"I wish we could really play it, Mac," AJ's voice was ragged to his own ears. "I'd dearly love to play the Big Bad Wolf with you."

Mac looked up into his eyes. "And would you eat me?" she asked, her voice as husky as his. AJ pulled her into his embrace and sucked her tongue into his mouth in a deep, heart-wrenching kiss.

Thursday, 26 June 2003
1135 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ hung up the phone and rested his head in his hands. "Oh, God. Mac... Mac..." He stood up and walked out of his office. "Tiner, call everyone to attention," he said as he passed his yeoman's desk heading out to the bullpen.

"Sir! Yes, Sir!" Tiner scrambled to his feet and followed the Admiral into the open area. "Attention on deck!" he called loudly.

Everyone snapped to immediately. Those in their offices looked up and saw the Admiral standing there. He nodded to them to join the group in the bullpen. When everyone was there, AJ called, "At ease." He looked down at his feet and then over at Commander Harmon Rabb... Mac's best friend... 'and lover?' AJ was never sure about that. He hoped not. "Before it hits ZNN in a few minutes, I wanted to let you all know that..." He hesitated, breathed out a heavy sigh, and continued. "The American Embassy in Suriname was bombed today. Leveled. They're saying there were no survivors."

Harriett gasped and tears immediately flowed down the very pregnant officer's cheeks. And AJ was sure he saw Rabb's knees buckle slightly before he caught himself. AJ continued, "You all know that we have a couple of our people on assignment there for the last several months, assisting Clayton Webb." Even though Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez hadn't actually been on his staff for almost two years now, AJ still considered him part of the JAG family. And he knew most everyone else did, too. "I haven't heard yet whether our people were in the Embassy at the time of the explosion. Most of their time is spent outside of the Embassy, so it's very possible that they were not there." AJ was fighting to keep calm; it wouldn't do anyone any good if he broke down now. "And that is the assumption this office is working under until it is proven otherwise. Is that understood?" he insisted. Several people nodded their heads, but most people were still in shock. "Is that understood?!" he repeated.

"Sir! Yes, Sir!" Harm replied.

Bud was next. "Aye, Sir!"

And the others followed suit. When AJ was satisfied, he said, "That's all. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything about our people. Dismissed." He motioned to Bud, who approached him. "Take Harriett home, Lieutenant. Put her to bed. I don't want that baby coming early."

Bud's eyes filled with tears but he willed them not to fall. "Thank you, Sir." Bud turned to Harriett and said, "Come on, Sweetie. The Admiral wants me to take you home. You need to be in bed right now."

Harriett shook her head. "She can't be... She just can't be..."

"She's not, Harriett!" snapped AJ from directly behind Bud. They looked up at him. "I heard Mac promise you that she'd be home when that baby comes. And I, for one, believe she will be."

Harriett sniffed and bit her lips together. "I do, too, Admiral."

"Good girl," AJ whispered to her. "Now you go on home, Harriett. Rest. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything."

AJ returned to his office and closed the door. He sat on the sofa and stared at the cold fireplace, remembering...

"Let me see... Hmm... Well, the Woodsman would be the one who saves me. And the Big Bad Wolf would be the one who eats me. Mmm, tough choice."

"Shall I bring my basket with me, or would that be too tempting for the Big Bad Wolf?"

"When there's a big, strong, handsome Woodsman here to come to my rescue?"
"I thought you'd prefer my being the Big Bad Wolf."

"You'd rather bathe him than...?"
"No, I'd rather bathe you."

"I enjoyed playing Little Red Riding Hood."
"I wish we could really play it, Mac. I'd dearly love to play the Big Bad Wolf with you."

"And would you eat me?"

AJ's thoughts were jarred back to the present at Tiner's urgent knocking. He didn't wait for the Admiral to admit him; he just opened the door and almost slammed it behind him. "Admiral! A call from South America, Sir! They're patching it through now!"

AJ jumped up from the sofa and grabbed the phone on his desk. "Chegwidden!" he barked.

The line was full of static, but he could definitely hear a voice on the other end. "Admiral Chegwidden?"

"Yes! This is Admiral Chegwidden!"

"Admiral, Colonel MacKenzie asked me to call you and let you know that they're all safe."

"Who is this?" AJ asked.

"My name is Louisa. I'm Mr. Webb's secretary here in Suriname." The line began to get clearer, and AJ could hear the woman's voice much better now.

"They're all safe? Mac, Gunny, and Webb?" AJ asked for clarification.

"Yes, Sir. And Colonel MacKenzie said she would call you as soon as she could."

"Where are they? What's she doing that I can't talk to her now?" AJ insisted, his heart in his throat.

"They're all helping with the wounded, Admiral."

"There were survivors?"

"No one who was still in the building, Sir."

"Then who are the wounded?"

"We had almost emptied the building, Sir. But not everyone was far enough away from the building not to be hurt. Mr. Webb got a tip only 5 minutes before the blast, and we were able to get almost everyone out."

"Thank God," AJ breathed.

"We are, Admiral. Believe me, we are," she said.

"Are my people hurt? You said they're helping, but that doesn't mean they weren't hurt themselves..."

Louisa hesitated for a moment. "Colonel MacKenzie has a broken arm; the bone is through the skin. She has it in a sling now and is helping the others. Gunny is limping, but he won't allow anyone to check him; he says others are worse off than he. Mr. Webb is bleeding, but he won't stop for us to find out what's wrong."

AJ took a deep breath. "Thank you for calling, Louisa. Tell the Colonel I'm waiting for her call." AJ hung up the receiver and looked up to find Tiner still standing in front of his desk. AJ smiled. "Call everyone to attention, Tiner."

"Aye, aye, Sir!" Tiner almost ran out of the office and into the bullpen. Most of the office staff were standing there glued to the TV screen which was just now broadcasting the news about the explosion. "Attention on deck!!" he yelled as he ran to the offices, banging on the doors. When AJ walked into the bullpen, everyone was waiting for him.

He smiled. "I just had a call from South America. Our people are alive... and from the sound of it, most of the Embassy staff is, too. They had about 5 minutes' warning, and almost emptied the building." There were sighs of relief around the room. "Our people are injured, but they're still working... helping others in worse shape than themselves. I expect to hear from Colonel MacKenzie soon. I'll keep you posted. Dismissed."

AJ returned to his office and called the Roberts' home to let them know the news. Just as he was hanging up, Tiner buzzed him to say that the Colonel was on Line 1. AJ punched the button and said, "Mac?"

"Hello, Admiral," she said softly.

"Oh, God, Mac! Are you all right? Is your arm bad?"

"I'm fine, really. It's a simple compound fracture. They'll set it and everything will be fine. Gunny's got shrapnel in his leg. He's going to require surgery."

"What about Webb?" AJ asked.

"Don't know yet. He still won't let anyone look at him. He feels totally responsible for this, you know."

AJ sighed. "I was afraid of that. Tell him I'm giving him a direct order... to let a doctor check him over... now."

Mac chuckled. "A direct order, Sir?"

"Yeah, I know... but maybe he'll listen to me for once." AJ paused, and then continued. "Mac, when are you coming home?"

"As soon as we can get a flight out. Gunny needs surgery, and I think he'd really rather it be done at home."

"He's going to be a while mending. I'll arrange something to get him to New Mexico. He should be with his family while he's recuperating," AJ suggested.

"He'll like that, Sir."

AJ's voice grew thick with emotion. "Mac, when I thought I'd lost you..."

"I know," she breathed. "Me, too..."

Neither of them finished their thoughts. They didn't have to; they knew what each other meant. Mac was the next to speak. "I have to go. I need to help..."

"Where?" he asked simply.

Mac knew what he meant: where did she want to transfer? "I don't care, AJ. Anywhere."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Absolutely."

Tuesday, 1 July 2003
1505 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac walked into the JAG bullpen, her left arm in a cast. Harriett saw her and jumped to her feet... as quickly as an 8-month pregnant woman can jump. "Mac!!" She ran to her friend and hugged her... then remembered protocol. "Oh!" She stepped back and said, "Colonel, I'm so glad you're back!"

"Thanks, Harriett. Came straight here from the airfield," Mac told her.

Harm heard Harriett's exclamation, as did everyone else in JAG Ops, and hurried out of his office. He pulled Mac to him and hugged her tightly. "Mac! Thank God you're all right."

"I'm fine, Harm," she hugged him back with one arm. When he didn't release her, but hugged her even tighter, she complained a bit. "Harm, my arm!"

He released his vice-like hold on her, but kept his arm securely around her as he apologized, "Sorry about that, Mac. I'm just glad you're home. Safe and... well, almost sound."

"I think we all agree with that, Commander," AJ barked standing at the entrance to the bullpen from his office area, his arms folded across his chest. AJ was surprised when Harm still didn't remove his arm. He raised an eyebrow at Harm and then Mac.

Mac stepped forward, out from under Harm's arm. She walked up to the Admiral and stood at attention stance. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie reporting, Sir!"

"For the last time, too, hmm?" he grinned. Mac's eyes lit up and her smile burst on her face, but she didn't utter a word. "Shall I announce it now," he asked her quietly, "or would you like to hear it first?"

"Now is fine."

"You're brave," he teased.

Mac shook her head. "Not brave. In love," she breathed.

AJ's eyes shone. He put his arm around Mac's shoulders and turned her around to face the others. "I have an announcement to make!" he called to them without calling them to attention. Most unusual.

Everyone was surprised at the Admiral's announcing Mac's transfer... and that he was so happy about it. They decided it must be that he was just happy she was home... and alive.

The announcement made, AJ and Mac went to his office and closed the door. He immediately took her in his arms and held her. "Oh, Mac... I'm so glad you're home," he breathed into her hair.

She tried to push away from him. "Admiral." Then a little more forcefully, "Admiral!" She took a step back. "My exit interview?"

AJ realized what she meant. Until he'd completed her exit interview and they'd both signed the papers, it could be argued that she was still under his command. AJ opened his door and said, "I'll have to have a talk with Webb before I can schedule that, Colonel. In the meantime, go ahead and pack up your office. You're to report in your new position at Quantico tomorrow. I'll have Tiner contact you to schedule the exit."

"Very good, Sir," Mac replied crisply.

Thursday, 10 July 2003
0855 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac walked into the bullpen and greeted her friends. "Mac! What are you doing here today?" asked Harm as he came out of his office to say hello.

"Exit interview."

"Aah. Fun," he quipped. "So have you decided if you like the new job?"

"It's not bad," she said. "Not like here. But then, I don't guess I'll ever love a job as much as this one."

"Why'd you leave, Mac?" Harm asked quietly.

Mac just smiled. "To move on to better things, Harm."

"But you just said..."

"I know what I said, Harm," Mac smiled, laying her hand on his arm.

Tiner stepped into the bullpen and said, "Colonel MacKenzie, Ma'am? Admiral Chegwidden is ready for you now."

Mac smiled to herself. 'I'll just bet he is, too. I'm certainly ready for him!' "Thanks, Tiner." She turned back to Harm. "See you later!"

An hour later, Mac emerged from the Admiral's office. Their meeting had been completely professional. Neither had made any remarks that could possibly be construed as improper. AJ followed her out to the bullpen. "Don't be a stranger, Colonel. Stop by JAG anytime you're in the area. You'll always be welcome here. I hope you know that."

Mac smiled brightly. "Thank you, Admiral. It's been an honor and privilege to work under your command, Sir."

AJ nodded his appreciation. "You're off to Quantico now? Or are you spending the day in town?"

"Quantico, Sir. I have a meeting with General Albanese this evening."

'Well, that answers that question. I won't get to see her tonight,' he realized. "I won't keep you then. Dismissed."

"Thank you, Sir."

Friday, 11 July 2003
1830 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

Mac was just a trifle nervous as she stepped out of her car and approached AJ's house. She hadn't been able to reach him on the phone today at all. She knew she was taking a chance by just showing up on his doorstep tonight, but she decided to risk it.

She had taken great pains to be sure her outfit was perfect. She preened herself again for just a moment and then rang the doorbell. She could hear the dog bark and then AJ walk to the door. When he opened it and saw her standing there, he grinned from ear to ear. She was dressed in a flowing red cape with a hood and carried her basket filled with Twix candy bars.

"Well, I'll be. If it isn't Little Mac Riding Hood," AJ observed.

"Does the Big Bad Wolf still live here?" she asked.

AJ growled, "Oh, yeah."

"And does he still want to eat me?"

"Oh, Darlin'." AJ grabbed Mac's right hand and pulled her inside.

The end.