Safe Harbour - Part 3

Wednesday, 23 October 2002
2230 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

They thought they'd have the week to prepare. But they didn't. When the liquid oxygen was contaminated and Commander Phil Zuzello lost consciousness and was medivac'd to Bethesda, AJ knew the case couldn't wait. He'd assigned Harm and Mac because he had to. AJ really had no choice. He and Mac still met each night to work on the smuggling case, but they were getting no where, fast.

AJ looked up from the papers he was studying and saw tears streaming down Mac's face. He set the papers down and moved closer to her on the sofa. "Mac? What is it?" he asked, concerned.

She looked up at him with her tear-streaked face. "How could she do it?" Mac gulped.

AJ was at a loss. He didn't have a clue what Mac was talking about, nor why she was so upset. "Mac, I'm sorry. I don't know who you're talking about." He took the papers from her hands and laid them on the table, then he turned back to her. "Tell me, Mac," he encouraged.

"Jeannine Zuzello," Mac hiccupped. "She actually signed the papers to let her husband die. How could she do it?" Mac's tears came in earnest, flowing freely down her cheeks.

AJ knew the problem now, and he knelt in front of Mac, pulling her forward into his arms. "It's okay, Mac. Let it out. Cry. You need this," he whispered to her as he hugged her tightly and rubbed her back. AJ let her cry for a couple minutes before he began talking again.

"You know, Mac, it took a lot of love and courage for Mrs. Zuzello to do what she did. She obviously loved her husband very much... but their love wasn't a selfish love. Keeping someone alive on a machine... when there's no hope for them to recover... or in this case, to even regain consciousness... that's selfish love. The person looking on can't stand the thought of losing the one they love. But they don't consider their loved one. Mrs. Zuzello did consider him. He wouldn't have wanted to live like that, surely. And he wouldn't have wanted to put her through that either. I believe that, Mac. I really do.  Her love wasn't selfish."

Mac looked up into the Admiral's eyes. "I know," she sniffed. "I just don't know that I could do it. I don't think I'd have the strength... the courage... to let the man I love die... to sign his life away."

AJ nodded. "You're a strong woman, Mac. You'd do the right thing."

She shook her head. "No, I'm not. I'm a strong Marine... but I'm not a strong woman. I'm a courageous Marine... but I'm not a courageous woman. I don't think I could do it."

AJ gently brushed her hair from her face and wiped her tears with his thumb. "You said it at the hospital, Mac. Which is worse? Kissing your husband goodbye in the morning and never seeing him again... or signing his life away at a hospital?"

"I'd rather kiss you goodbye and never see you again," Mac whispered. "I don't think I could watch you die," and her tears started anew.

AJ was sure Mac didn't realize that she had intimated that she wanted him as her husband. He was just as sure that she didn't actually mean it that way. So he pulled her back into his embrace and rocked her as she cried.

Several minutes later, Mac pulled back and sniffed. "I'm sorry, Admiral. I can't think what came over me, Sir. I guess it was just..."

"Not a problem, Mac," AJ interrupted her, cupping her cheek in the palm of his hand. He nodded toward the bathroom. "Why don't you go freshen up a bit? You'll feel better."

"Thank you, Sir." AJ stood and offered his hand to Mac to help her up from the sofa. She smiled her thanks and headed for the bathroom. As she closed the door and looked in the mirror, she gasped, suddenly remembering what she said. "Oh my God!"

Thursday, 24 October 2002
0835 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Harm strode into the break room to get his morning cup of coffee. "Mac!" he exclaimed, seeing her pouring a cup for herself.

"Good morning, Flyboy," she replied.

"Where've you been hiding? I haven't gotten you at home one night this week."

Mac turned to Harm. "Harm, you know very well that the Admiral and I have been working long and crazy hours on the Bailey case. Monday we were in Norfolk until very late. Tuesday night we were here in the law library; last night we were at his house. Tonight, I believe we'll be sequestered away at my apartment," she groaned.

"That bad, eh?" teased Harm.

"Bad?" she asked.

"You groaned when you said he'd be at your place tonight, Mac."

"Oh that. No... it's just that I don't know what to make for dinner. I hate to get pizza, but... I'm really not going to have time to do anything else."

"Pizza always works for us, Mac," Harm reminded her.

"Yes, but he made veal parmesan on Saturday. From scratch. And last night, he made chicken divan. I hate to just order a pizza."

"Well, you'll think of something, Mac," Harm told her. "How about lunch today? I want to talk to you about..."

"Can't do it, Harm. Not this week. Not with the Bailey trial and the Moritz trial, too."

"I still can't believe I was fired from that case," Harm muttered.

"Severed," Mac corrected, grinning.

"Whatever."

AJ walked into the break room just as Harm and Mac were leaving. "Pizza sound good for tonight, Colonel?" AJ asked her.

"Excuse me, Sir?"

"Pizza. I thought I'd stop and pick up a couple of pizzas on my way to your apartment. If that's acceptable?"

"But, Admiral... it's my turn to..."

"Nonsense! You're doing far more than your share of the work on this case, Colonel. The least I can do is feed you!" AJ interrupted. "Meat lovers?" Harm laughed at the smile that covered Mac's face. "I take it, that's a 'Yes'?" AJ asked.

Mac nodded. "Yes, Sir. Meat lovers will be just fine. Thank you."

The rest of the day flew by, and there wasn't a soul at JAG who wasn't amazed at the outcome of the Zuzello case. The very idea that Albrecht intentionally tainted their oxygen supply and then stayed at 45,000 feet... watching his friend lose consciousness... "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" asked Harm of the ship's Captain after Albrecht was arrested and taken to the brig.

Friday, 25 October 2002
1145 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

"Somebody order double anchovies?" asked Bud as he and Harriett entered the bullpen. Harriett had 5 large pizza boxes in her arms.

"Bud!" "Welcome back, Bud!" people exclaimed from all over the bullpen. "Looking good, Lieutenant!"

AJ made his presence known, too, welcoming Bud back to the office, even if only for a brief visit.

"Would you like some pizza, Admiral?" Bud asked him.

AJ frowned and shook his head. "No thanks." He turned to go back to his office, but stopped and said to Bud, "Next time you're in the office, I expect to see you without those crutches." AJ smiled at the young crippled officer.

"Yes, Sir!" Bud agreed, pulling his crutches aside and coming proudly to attention stance.

As AJ returned to his office, Harm took the pizza boxes from Harriett. "Pizza party!" he called, and most everyone gathered around to partake of the food.

"I wonder why the Admiral doesn't want any pizza?" asked Sturgis.

"Perhaps he doesn't enjoy pizza, Sir?" suggested Commander Manetti.

"Oh, he likes it all right, Tracy," replied Mac. "But I think he's had his fill for a while," she grinned, taking two pieces and putting them on her napkin.

"Uh oh. Mac... what'd you do last night? Challenge him to a pizza eating contest?" asked Harm.

Mac grinned. "Let's just say the first thing he asked Tiner for this morning was the bottle of Rolaids!"

"I should have warned him about you and pizza," Harm quipped.

"How do you spell relief?" giggled Harriett remembering the old TV commercial.

Bud answered, "R - O - L - A - I - D - S!" and they all laughed until thhey heard the Admiral bellow from inside his office.

"Tiner!! Where the hell did you put that bottle of Rolaids!?!"

Friday, 25 October 2002
1715 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac knocked on the Admiral's office door. "Enter!" he barked.

Mac opened the door and walked inside, coming to attention stance in front of his desk. "Reporting as ordered, Sir."

AJ looked up from his papers. "Have a seat, Mac. I'll be with you in a minute."

Mac did as she was ordered. As a minute stretched into five, Mac began to feel slightly uncomfortable. She wondered if perhaps the Admiral had forgotten that she was there. Yet she didn't want to interrupt his train of thought... he was obviously engrossed in what he was reading. After another five minutes, Mac thought perhaps she should clear her throat or something to make herself known. Just as she was about to do so, the intercom buzzed. AJ punched the button on the speakerphone. "What, Tiner?"

"Ms. Cavanaugh is here to see you, Sir."

"Give me just a minute, Tiner... then let her come in," AJ instructed him. He disconnected the line and looked up, surprised to see Mac. "Good God! I forgot you were sitting there. Why didn't you say something, Mac?"

"You were so intent on your reading, Sir. I didn't want to disturb you," Mac replied. "Did you need something, Admiral?"

"I was just going to suggest that we take a breather tonight for a few hours... and then meet back here at the law library around 2100."

Mac looked surprised. "Oh. I thought..." she started, but stopped as the office door opened and Meredith entered.

"AJ, I'm sorry I'm a little early, but..." she started talking as she pranced inside. "Oh! Mac! I'm sorry, AJ; I didn't realize you were having a meeting."

"We're just finished, Meredith," AJ said standing and walked around to the front side of his desk to greet his girlfriend.

"That'll be fine, Sir. Will that be all, Admiral?" Mac asked, standing up.

AJ nodded, "Dismissed."

As Mac pulled the office door closed behind her, she saw AJ take Meredith in his arms and kiss her soundly.

She returned to her office and sighed. "I knew better..." she shook her head.

"Knew better than what, Mac?" asked Harm, standing in her doorway.

Mac looked up, shrugged her shoulders, and shook her head. "Than a lot of things, Flyboy," she tried to laugh. "You need something?" she asked.

"Do you have the Connors file?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Mac said. She rummaged through the stacks on her desk and then her drawers. Finally finding it, she handed it to Harm. Thinking he left her office with the file, she turned to look out the window.

But Harm hadn't left. He walked up behind her and put his hands on her waist. Neither of them noticed the Admiral walk in. He was just going to speak when he heard Harm ask, "How about dinner tonight, Mac? You name the place. Anywhere you want to go." He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Anywhere at all, Mac."

Mac turned around and smiled up into his face. "How about a Japanese steak house? I haven't been to one of those in ages. And they have meat for me and veggies for you."

"Beni Hana's it is," Harm said putting his arms around her waist and pulling her to him. "Are you okay, Mac? You seem a little down all of a sudden."

Mac replied, "I have to be back here by 2100 is all, Harm."

AJ was surprised at Mac's words. He thought she'd almost been enjoying their working together. Sure, they were late nights and it was hard work, but last night... having a pizza eating contest... he was just so sure...

"Hey, that's right! You were supposed to be cooking tonight, weren't you? You were all excited about it earlier..." Harm remembered.

"No big deal. It probably wouldn't have been edible when I finished with it anyway," Mac said softly.

AJ groaned inwardly. 'That's what it is. I insulted her. I didn't even remember she said she wanted to cook tonight. Damn!'

"What were you going to cook?"

"Filet mignon and lobster tails," she answered. AJ berated himself even more.

"Wow!" Harm exclaimed. "Trying to impress the boss, eh?" he teased.

Mac gave him an exasperated look. "I ordered them from Omaha Steaks; they come frozen. And they give you the cooking directions, so I figured maybe they'd taste okay... even if I cooked them."

"So what happened?"

"We're taking a few hours off, that's all. And meeting back here instead of at my place. I think he's taking Meredith out for dinner tonight."

"You're probably relieved, huh?" Harm said, knowing she was disappointed, but trying not to let her know that he knew.

"Yeah. Relieved," Mac agreed. "So, let's get out of here," she said, pulling back from Harm... and seeing the Admiral in her doorway. "Admiral!" she exclaimed. Harm jerked away from her. "I'm sorry, Sir; I didn't see you. Did you need something?"

AJ shook his head. "No, Mac. I just thought... well, never mind. 2100 in the law library."

Meredith walked up behind him then. "Mac, feed him well! And don't let him eat so much pizza next time. He's taken half a bottle of Rolaids today!"

Mac turned puzzled eyes on the Admiral and then Meredith. AJ took Meredith's hand and said, "Say goodbye, Meredith."

She giggled and replied, "Goodbye, Meredith!" Then with a little wave, she followed AJ out of Mac's office.

"What was that about, I wonder?" asked Harm.

Mac shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with Meredith? She's a nut."

"You about ready to go, Mac?"

"Just have to visit the ladies room, and then I'm ready." Mac headed out of the bullpen and rounded the corner just behind Meredith. They entered the ladies room together. "So, where are you two going for dinner tonight, Meredith?" Mac asked her friend.

Meredith turned surprised eyes to Mac. "Who, two?"

"You and the Admiral, of course."

"We're not, Mac. I have an evening seminar to lead. One of the other professors called in sick, so I'm doing it for him. That's why I came by here early... to tell AJ I had to cancel our dinner. He said you two would just have dinner and get started earlier than you planned."

"Oh," Mac intoned. 'Well, if he wants to do that, he'd better say something fast. Otherwise, I'm going to dinner with Harm!'

When Mac returned to the bullpen, Harm and AJ were talking. Mac went to her office, picked up her cover, and approached the men. "Ready?" she asked Harm, expecting the Admiral to say something to her.

"For you, Mac? Always," Harm smiled.

"I wish that were true, Harm," Mac said softly, realizing now that the Admiral wasn't going to say anything. 'Or do I?' she wondered to herself. As they were leaving the bullpen, Mac said, "Harm do you mind if we run by my apartment first? I'd really like to change clothes."

Friday, 25 October 2002
2055 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ looked out the window again, hoping to finally see Mac arriving. He wasn't disappointed... entirely. He did see her arriving. What he didn't especially care to see was Harm's kissing her. "Damned regs," AJ swore under his breath, knowing he couldn't have her, himself.

Mac walked into the law library at exactly 2100. "Took you look enough to get up here, Colonel," AJ said.

"Sir?" she questioned. "It's just now 2100."

"Yes, but you've been here for at least 5 minutes. I saw you in the parking lot... from the window," AJ told her. She blushed slightly. "Yes, I did see the kiss. So, Mac, was he kissing you this time? Or still Dianne?" he asked bluntly.

Mac ignored his question and said, "I'll just go get my files, Admiral."

"I'm sorry, Mac. That was inexcusable," AJ said softly.

She turned to look at him; her eyes were cold and distant. "Yes, Sir. It was." And she left the room without accepting his apology.  She hadn't wanted Harm to kiss her, not really.  But she'd let him.  And it was nice.  It just didn't knock her socks off the way she hoped it would.  'If I really loved him...' she thought.  'Could I?  Could I try again?  Let him in my heart again?'  She sighed heavily.  'Yeah right!  Let him trample my feelings one more time!  Only a fool would go through that again!'

"Damn, she is really ticked," AJ sighed. "And with good reason, too," he shook his head.

They spent several hours in deep discussion about the case: the order of witnesses they planned to call, the questions they planned to ask. All the while, ignoring the tenseness between them. It was a strained working session, one like they'd never had before. One that they both prayed would never be repeated. And neither of them would call an end to their night of work. That would show weakness to the other, and neither intended to show that.

At 0250, Mac stifled a yawn behind her hand... but AJ noticed. "Mac, I think it's time we called it a night," he finally said. "I'm exhausted, and I imagine you are, too." He carefully did not insist that she was exhausted... only saying that he thought she must be.

That seemed to be the right thing to say. Mac smiled for the first time since she arrived at 2100. "Yes, Sir, I am rather tired. It's been a long week."

"I'm sorry I've worked you so hard, Mac."

"It'll be worth it, Admiral, when we get that conviction."

AJ sighed. "I don't know, Mac. I still don't see enough for a conviction. If we had more time..." he shook his head.

They gathered up their papers and headed for the exit. "What time tomorrow, Admiral?"

"I'd really like to have another look around the harbour, Mac. You up for another trip to Norfolk tomorrow?"

"Certainly, Sir. What time shall I pick you up?"

"I'll pick you up, Mac. How about 0730? We can stop for breakfast on the way, and you can sleep some on the way down," he offered.

"What about you, Admiral? You need sleep, too," she admonished.

"SeALs don't sleep," he grinned as they reached her vehicle in the parking lot.

"Yeah, right," she muttered.

AJ opened Mac's car door for her. "Old SeALs also forget things now and then, Mac. I am sorry about dinner tonight." She turned to face him and saw the regret in his eyes. "Very sorry."

Mac smiled slightly and her countenance softened. "Apology accepted, Sir."

"Thank you, Mac. I'll make it up to you," he whispered.

"You already have, Sir. You made a deposit in the bank with Shakespeare last Friday," she winked.

Saturday, 26 October 2002
1420 EDT
Norfolk Harbour
Norfolk, Virginia

AJ and Mac walked around the perimeter of the park for the third time. "That same guy was here on Monday," observed AJ. "He was the man digging in the trash. And he's been within spitting distance of the same spot since we arrived this morning."

"Are you thinking he might know something, Sir? Or be involved?" asked Mac.

AJ lifted his eyebrow. "Either."

"He has kept a pretty close eye on us, too, you know," she offered.

"Yes, I've noticed that. Tell you what, Mac. Why don't you go talk to the mothers on the playground... and I'll have a chat with this guy. Keep an eye peeled though," he added.

"You know it, Sir!"

AJ approached the man in question. "Hello thar," the man said. "You want somethun?" he asked AJ.

AJ was surprised. "Just to talk, if you don't mind."

"Don't mind t'all. Right purty woman ya got there, Cap'n."

AJ looked back over his shoulder at Mac. "That she is, my friend."

"I ain't yur friend. Don't even know ya," the man said. His tone was still friendly, though, so AJ kept up talking.

"No, don't suppose you do. Then, I'm not a Captain either," he told the man.

"You ain't?" the man was surprised. "I thought with them stripes on yur sleeves, you'd be a Cap'n."

AJ shook his head, but he didn't offer to tell the man his rank. If he asked, AJ would tell him. But he didn't want to scare the guy off. "Name's AJ. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Joe."

"So, Joe... you hang around here a lot?" AJ asked.

"Yeah, I do. You got a problem with that?" Joe asked.

AJ shook his head. "Not at all, Joe. Actually, I was hoping you might be able to help me out. I'm trying to find information about some smuggling going on around here. You heard anything about that?"

Joe nodded his head, "Sure have. Know a lot aboust it, too. I seen them a coupla times, I did."

AJ sat down next to Joe, and Joe told his story. When he finished, AJ asked, "Would you be willing to come to Washington and testify, Joe? Help us put this guy behind bars?"

"When?" asked Joe. "I got me a busy schedule."

AJ contained his grin. "The trial is set for Monday, Joe. If you could just come back with us this evening, that would be ideal. I can put you up at a hotel or wherever you'd feel most comfortable."

"Nah, I don't think so. Sunday's are good days around here. I collect most of my money on Sundays. People feel gen'rous on the Lord's Day, ya know. Monday's not a good day fer me either; lots of really good stuff in the trash on Mondays. But I guess I could miss jist one... fer this, I mean. Seems like it'd be worth it." Joe nodded. "Course, I got no way ta git up thar."

"You're sure you won't go back with us tonight?" Joe shook his head. AJ knew better than to argue the point. Joe might change his mind entirely. "I'll arrange for your transportation, Joe. You just be right here Monday morning at 0630. The person who'll pick you up will ask you who you're waiting for. You tell him you're waiting for your brother, Jethro."

"Jethro? Like in the Beverly Hillbillies?" Joe asked, in an almost offended tone.

AJ chuckled. "Yeah. But it also happens to be what the J stands for in 'AJ'," he shrugged.

"Oh, I see. Okay. My brother, Jethro."

"Right. Then the person will answer you with "I've never met your brother Jethro, but your sister Sarah sure is a looker."

Joe grinned. "Her name's Sarah, eh?"

AJ chuckled. "You're quick." Joe and AJ stood up. AJ was going to offer to shake hands with Joe, but he thought better of it. "It's possible we're being watched, Joe. Be careful."

"Don't you worry none 'bout me, I'll be jist fine," Joe quipped. "You look after that purty gal o' yours."

AJ left Joe and headed for Mac. She was behind a little boy's swing, and every time he came back to her, she pushed him again. "Wheeee!" he squealed his delight. "Higher! Higher!"

"That's high enough, David!" the woman next to Mac told him. She noticed AJ approaching. "Thank you so much for helping with the kids," she said.

Mac looked up to see AJ smiling at her. "It was my pleasure, Deb. Your kids are great." Mac walked around the swing set and turned back to the children. "Bye, David. Bye, Laurie."

"Bye, Mrs. Colonel!" they chorused.

AJ chuckled at their address. "Mrs. Colonel?" he asked when Mac reached his side and they headed for his vehicle.

"They couldn't seem to grasp that they didn't need to use the Mrs.," Mac laughed. "Did you get anything?"

AJ nodded. "We've got him, Mac! Joe's seen it all."

"Shouldn't we be taking him with us, Sir?" questioned Mac.

"He won't come now," AJ shook his head. "I'll send someone for him on Monday at 0630."

As they drove back to the Washington area, AJ told Mac everything that Joe had witnessed and shared with him. "It's just the break we've been looking for, Admiral!" Mac was ecstatic. "We're going to win after all!"

They arrived back in town at 1930, and as they were stopped at a traffic light, Mac said, "Admiral, would you mind stopping at a hardware store for a second, please?"

"A hardware store?" he repeated. Mac nodded. "Don't mind at all, Mac. You have a preference?"

"No, Sir. I just need to get a new shower head," she explained.

"What'd you do to the one you have?"

"I broke it this morning. You know the clip that holds it up there? It's a handheld. Well, I broke the clip somehow, and now I have to hold the thing all the time. It's a little difficult to shower that way."

AJ pulled into the parking lot of the Home Depot. Together they entered the store, and Mac was surprised as AJ headed them directly for the plumbing section. "How'd you know where this was, Sir?" she asked when they reached their destination.

"Mac, if we went to Nordstrom's, would you know exactly where the shoe department is?" he asked her.

Mac chucked. "Yes, Sir."

"I wouldn't."

"Enough said, Sir." Mac looked at all the shower heads. "Which one? I don't see one like what I have on there now."

"Well, that's probably a good thing, Mac, since the one you have on there now is broken!" he teased.

Mac groaned at his bad joke. "Really, though, Admiral. How do I know which one will fit my shower?"

"They'll all fit the piping, Mac. It's really more a matter of which one would you prefer? There are massaging heads, jet heads, spray heads, hand-held versions of all of those..."

"I definitely want another hand-held," she said emphatically. AJ turned and looked Mac straight in the eyes. She began to blush. He grinned wolfishly at her. Her blush continued to creep up her neck and suffuse her face. "I... um... I like a hand-held. It makes it much easier to clean the shower," she said lamely.

"Uh huh. I'll just bet it does, Mac," he replied.

Mac chose the new shower head, AJ picked up a roll of teflon tape, and they were on their way again. When they reached Mac's apartment, AJ walked her to her door, as was his custom. But this time, when she opened the door, he went inside with her. "Admiral?"

"Take me to your shower," he said in a monotone voice, reminiscent of the old "alien" movies and "Take me to your leader" phrases.

Mac couldn't help but laugh. "It's in here, Sir." Mac walked into her bedroom and offered to take his uniform jacket. He slipped it off and rolled up his sleeves. Mac walked into the bathroom and turned on the light. That's when she realized she hadn't cleaned up after her shower this morning. "Oh!" she exclaimed in embarrassment. "Let me get these things out of the way, Sir." Mac started grabbing towels from the floor. AJ bent over to help her pick up the dirty linen, only what he picked up wasn't a towel.

"Umm, here, Mac..." he said, trying valiantly to hide his grin.

Mac looked up and saw him holding a pair of her thong panties on one finger, and the matching bra on another finger. She reached forward to took the articles from his hand, her face turning as red as a vine-ripened tomato. "Thank you, Admiral," she whispered.

"Not exactly regulation, are they?" he quipped.

"I don't wear these under a uniform, Sir. I came home and changed last night, remember?" Mac said, almost defensively.

AJ groaned, and Mac realized he hadn't been correcting her. "You mean you had those on last night while we were working in the law library?"

Mac turned the tables on him. "Yes, Sir. But these are nothing compared to what I wore under that little black dress Friday night."

"I don't think I want to know," AJ mumbled, feeling himself stir.

"I'm sure you don't want to know," she teased.

AJ stepped into the shower stall and reached up to unscrew the existing shower head. It was rather tight, but with brute force, he unscrewed it. It dribbled water as he took it down and laid it on the shower floor. "Hand me the new one, will you, Mac?" he requested after he wiped off the old tape from the pipe.

Mac opened the package and handed him the new shower head. He raised it to position and said, "This how you want it, Mac?" Then he lowered it slightly. "Or this? I can adjust this one either way."

"The first way you had it is fine, Admiral." AJ nodded, set the new shower head down and wrapped some new teflon tape on the pipe. "What's that?" Mac asked.

"Teflon tape. You wrap it around the pipe here," he showed her, "and then when you screw the new shower head on, it doesn't leak. The tape helps it seal and prevents leakage."

"Oh. I didn't know that," she said, feeling a little stupid.

AJ recognized her tone of voice. "No reason you should unless you've done plumbing work before, Mac."

She giggled. "Well, I can honestly say that I'm not a plumber."

"Okay, it's ready for a test," AJ said. "Turn the water on and see if it's what you... MAC!!!" AJ bellowed, jumping back from the water's spray when Mac turned on the faucet. "Geez, woman! You could have waited until I got out of the shower!"

Mac was trying so hard not to laugh as she turned the water off. "I am so sorry, Sir! I didn't even think! You said turn the water on, so I did. Admiral, I'm so sorry!" Then she could stand it no longer; she burst into giggles.

AJ glared at her, but as her face brightened as each second passed, he couldn't help but join in her gaiety. He shook his head and said, "Good God! Look at me!"

Mac did look at him. She saw his wet shirt molded to his chest and upper arms. She saw his pants clinging to his muscular legs. She stopped laughing and her eyes grew dark with passion as her gaze traveled back up the length of his body to his face. "You're magnificent," she breathed.

AJ knew that look in her eyes. And he knew he needed to do something to extinguish the flame that was just ready to come to life. So he reached out and turned the water back on, effectively catching Mac in the spray this time and drenching her. She sputtered and squealed as the cold water pelted her, until AJ turned it off.

But that hadn't quite been the answer. For now, Mac was as wet as he was. And her uniform has caressing her body, giving him just as good a view as she had of him.  AJ groaned as he gazed at her.

Mac knew this was wrong; just as wrong as the almost kiss had been years ago. But this had the makings of completely destroying their careers. They were alone in her apartment, wet, and leering at each other.

"I'll get you a towel," she whispered, stepping out of the shower stall.

Monday, 28 October 2002
0725 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Admiral Chegwidden was already in his office when Mac arrived. She knocked on his open door, seeing him staring out the window. "Admiral? You left a note on my desk to see you right away, Sir?"

AJ turned around, and Mac knew something was wrong. "Have a seat, Colonel." She did so. "Joe's dead."

Mac blinked hard. "I beg your pardon, Admiral; what did you just say?"

"You heard me, Mac. Joe's dead."

"But... what... how...?"

"According to the Norfolk Police, it was an accident. He was drunk and he fell in the water and drowned."

"Oh, dear God..."

AJ looked pointedly at Mac. "Joe didn't drink, Mac. He told me so on Saturday."

"You mean...?"

AJ nodded and sighed. "That's exactly what I mean. He was murdered. But to get the Norfolk PD to buy that? He was homeless; they're probably just glad to be rid of him."

"Now what do we do, Sir?" Mac asked. They had spent the entire day on Sunday going back through all of their notes and files, changing their line of prosecution to center around Joe's testimony.

"We go back to what we had on Friday night, Mac. That's all we can do."

"Can't we ask for a postponement, Sir? Because of Joe's death?" Mac asked.

"We can ask... we will ask." AJ shook his head, "But we won't get it."

"Bailey's going to walk, isn't he." She said it as a statement, not a question, so AJ didn't bother to answer. They both knew the outcome of this trial before they even began.

Monday, 28 October 2002
1645 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ and Mac did lose the case, much to the delight of the Senator and Commander Bailey. But when AJ requested a retrial and laid out his reasons before the judge: the Senator and SecNav had rushed the case to court, not providing ample time for preparation, AND the sudden untimely death of the prosecution's key witness, the judge had ruled in favor of a retrial. He'd even asked AJ for his preferred date for the retrial. The Senator was livid. Harm just looked at his friend and shrugged. "I told you this would happen, Scotty. You can't rush a military trial. We don't have time to prepare, and it goes for retrial. Now they have all the time they want."

Sturgis turned to his long-time friend. "What are they going to find, Scotty? Is there something you haven't told us? What about this guy who was murdered?"

Scott shook his head. "I don't know anything about that, Man!" he almost yelled. He looked from Harm to Sturgis; it was obvious in their expressions that they didn't believe him. "I'm telling you the truth! I don't know anything about some old homeless guy being murdered!"

AJ and Mac looked at each other. Neither of them had said a word about their dead witness being elderly or homeless. They wondered if Harm and Sturgis picked up on it. As AJ and Mac glanced in their direction, they knew they had.

AJ and Mac walked back to the bullpen together. "Well, Sir? When do we start again?" she smiled.

"Well, this time we have plenty of time, Mac. And there are a few things I want to look into before we start in earnest. Also, I want to get our cases caught back up. It'll probably be next week or the week after."

"Very good, Sir." Mac turned toward her office and then stopped. "And Admiral?" she said, causing him to turn back toward her. When he saw her face cloud over slightly, he approached her and they stepped into her office.

"Something wrong, Mac?" he asked.

"No, Sir. I just wanted to thank you again for fixing my shower head Saturday night," she almost blushed.

"My pleasure, Mac."

"I do apologize, again, for turning the water on you. I honestly didn't mean to get you..."

AJ smiled. "It's okay, Mac. No harm done," he said meaningfully.

She inhaled sharply at his words. "True," she whispered. "No harm done. I'm sorry you had to drive home in wet clothes, though, Sir."

"Didn't have to, Mac. I had a sweat suit in the back of the Escalade."

"Then why didn't you bring it inside and change..." Mac began. But when she looked at AJ's expression, she stopped, knowing the answer. If he'd stayed to change clothes... if he'd removed his wet clothes in her apartment... he would have also removed her wet clothes... and... "Plans for tonight?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

He shook his head. "No. Meredith has another seminar tonight."

"Aah, I see. She's probably missing your times together," Mac offered, trying to smile. "I know I would be," she mumbled under her breath.

"Flowers. I think I'll send her some flowers tomorrow. She'll like that, don't you think, Mac?"

Mac smiled. "I'm sure she'll like it, Sir."

"What about you, Mac? Do you have plans tonight?" he asked.

This time, she shook her head. "No, Sir. Just going to curl up with a nice cup of hot soup in front of the TV set, most likely."

"How about joining me for dinner, Mac? Sort of a 'loser's night out'?" he chuckled.

Mac feigned indignation, "Who are you calling a loser?"

"Both of us!" he roared.

"Not for long, though, Sir. We'll get him in the next round."

"How about it, Mac? Dinner?" AJ asked again.

"On one condition," Mac agreed.

AJ raised his eyebrow. "What condition?" He wasn't used to anyone putting conditions on his suggestions... certainly not a junior officer.

"You let me cook that dinner we were supposed to have Friday night."

AJ smiled. "That's not an offer I can refuse, Mac. Can I do anything? Bring anything?"

"No, Sir. I still have everything in the fridge. Just bring yourself. How about 1830?"

"Does that give you enough time?" he asked, looking at his watch.

"It does if I leave now," she smirked.

"Okay, okay... go on, get out of here," he laughed.

Continue to Part 4