Safe Harbour - Part 4

Monday, 28 October 2002
1825 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac was surprised when the doorbell rang 5 minutes early. But then, the Admiral always seemed to arrive 5 minutes early. She opened the door, wiping her hands on her apron. "Well, don't you look like Suzy Homemaker?" he teased. "I brought you a little something," he said, bringing a long florist box from behind his back.

"Flowers! For me? Oh, Admiral, thank you!" Mac gushed. "I love flowers," she said, taking the box from him and opening it as she walked into the living room. "Oooh, roses! How did you know I love roses?" she purred.

AJ smiled. "Most women do love roses, Mac," he told her. "You wouldn't let me bring anything for dinner, so I thought perhaps you'd enjoy these. A small thank-you for all the extra effort you put into this case when I wasn't able to."

"Oh, Admiral, you didn't have to do that; I was glad to do what I could on the case. I just wish it had been enough to win."

"We'll win next time, Mac. I have no doubt."

Mac smiled as she looked at the flowers. "These are just lovely, Sir. They're such a deep pink. Absolutely beautiful," she cooed. "Let me get a vase and put them in water." She walked into the kitchen.  After AJ took off his jacket and laid it across the arm of the sofa, he followed her. She opened the cabinet above the fridge and pointed. "Can you reach that one, Sir?"

AJ walked up next to her, reached up and pulled the large vase down. "Vase," he smiled, handing it to Mac.

"Thanks," she replied, her breath catching in her throat as she watched him stretch.  She filled it with water at the sink. Then she opened the box and lifted the roses out, one by one, placing them in the vase. When she finished, she smelled of them. "Mmmm, they smell wonderful!"

AJ sniffed the air. "I rather prefer the smell of our dinner. It smells wonderful, Mac. What did you make?" he asked, hoping it would be the filet mignon and lobster tails he heard her mention to Harm last week.

"I should make you wait and see," she teased, "after that comment about Suzy Homemaker."  Mac took the flowers into the dining room and set them in the center of the table.

AJ grinned. "But you won't."

"Because you brought me flowers," she quipped. "I'll do anything for a man who brings me flowers," she giggled. She looked up at AJ and saw his eyes darken at her words. She blanched as she realized what she'd just said to him. "Filet mignon and lobster tails," she gulped, trying to smooth the moment over. "Caesar salad, potatoes au gratin, and dinner rolls. And a surprise for dessert."

"A surprise?" he repeated, cocking his eyebrow and grinning wolfishly at her.

"Mmm hmm," Mac nodded. She wasn't sure now that she should have insisted on this dinner. 'Don't be silly, Mac. He's just playing with you.' Then she thought, 'Yeah, and that's exactly what I want him to do... play with me. With all of me.' Mac shook her head to clear her thoughts. "And I'm not quite finished with it yet, so you have to stay out of the kitchen until it's in the oven. Deal?" she asked as she pushed him backwards out of the kitchen.

AJ laughed as he let her physically move him... a first.  And he rather liked the feel of Mac's hands on him.  "Okay, okay!" AJ decided to look around her living room while he waited. He heard the electric mixer in the kitchen, so he assumed she was baking a cake of some kind. Then he heard her counting. "Counting?" he said aloud. "I didn't think anyone counted when they cooked anymore." He raised his voice, "Mac! What are you counting?"

Mac kept counting, only louder... so he wouldn't make her lose track of where she was. "35.. 36.. 37.. 38.. 39.. 40! Now what did you say?" she yelled back.

AJ chuckled. "Nothing. Not important. Can I do anything?"

"No, Sir. As soon as I put the... this... in the oven," she almost slipped and called the dessert by name, "I'll take up the steaks and lobster."

"Okay." AJ waited another couple of minutes, and finally he heard Mac open the oven door and slide something inside. Then she closed the door.

"You can come back in now," she said. "But gently," she said urgently.

"Gently?" he laughed.

"It has to rise," she explained. "Any sudden noise or motion can make it fall."

AJ nodded, wondering what Mac had made for their dessert. "What can I do?"

"Take the salad in to the table, if you'd like," she said. "And the bread."

AJ smiled. "Are we switching places, Mac? This is what you brought in at my place."

Mac laughed lightly, removing her apron. "I didn't even think of that, Sir."

AJ had trouble keeping his eyes off of Mac now that she wasn't covered up by her apron.  She wore a low-cut blouse with a pair of snug jeans.  They weren't too tight, they just fit her... perfectly.  As they finished bringing the food and beverages from the kitchen, they sat at the dining table. "Mac, this really looks delicious."

"Thank you, Sir. I hope it is," she added, motioning for him to go ahead and start serving himself. "I've never made lobster tails before. But they came frozen and had directions."

"I'm sure it will all be wonderful." AJ thought to himself, 'Certainly can't be any worse than Meredith's cooking!'

"At least I know the dessert will be good," she said. "That, I've made before. Oh, and you know what? I got the recipe from Meredith." AJ groaned audibly. "Sir, is something wrong?"

AJ looked chagrinned. "No. Nothing's wrong," he tried to hide his dismay. 'Oh God... Meredith's recipe?'

Mac grinned inwardly. She knew Meredith was a horrible cook. But this was Meredith's mother's recipe, and evidently her mother had been an excellent cook. Mac decided to let the Admiral suffer for a while.

"Mac, this meal is absolutely delicious!" AJ told her as he took his second bite of steak; he'd already eaten half of his lobster tail and a bit of the potato.

Mac smiled her delight.  "Thank you, Sir.  I'm glad you're enjoying it."

"I can't tell you how much!" he said.  "Mmm, I mean, this is fabulous." He remembered the last dinner that Meredith cooked for him; he'd had indigestion for two days.

They took their time eating, and just as they finished their meal, the timer buzzed on the oven.  "Dessert's ready.  You have to eat it fresh out of the oven.  I hope that's okay... you did leave room, didn't you?" she asked nervously.  The meal had been so good, she really hoped he liked the dessert.

AJ patted his stomach, "I don't know, Mac.  That was a lot of food."  He saw her smile slip a bit.  "Of course I have room for dessert," he smiled at her, as though he'd been teasing.  He couldn't hurt her feelings; even if this was Meredith's recipe, he had to eat it.  "Some kind of cake?" he asked.

She brightened immediately and shook her head.  "Not cake," she said, scooting her chair back and heading for the kitchen.  She turned off the timer and came back into the dining room carrying a tray.  It held two dessert bowls and spoons, two cups and saucers, a thermal carafe filled with hot coffee, and a bowl filled with mocha whipped cream.  

AJ watched as she unloaded the tray and filled both cups with coffee.  She turned around and went back into the kitchen.  He heard the oven door open, then close.  "Now for the pièce de résistance!" Mac said in flawless French, walking into the room holding a perfectly shaped chocolate soufflé between her potholders.  

AJ was impressed.  "Mac, that looks fantastic!  It's a soufflé, obviously.  Not many people can make a soufflé.  They fall so easily," he commented.  'God, I just hope it tastes half-way decent.  Meredith's recipe...'

Mac smiled.  "Chocolate soufflé.  I'm not the greatest cook, I'll admit," she said, as AJ shook his head in disagreement.  "But I can follow a recipe if it's well written.  And this one was great.  It took me a couple of tries to get it right the first time, but now that I know what to do, it comes out pretty well."

"You're a very good cook, Mac, if tonight was any indication," he praised.  "And I'm looking forward to that dessert, too," he said honestly.  'If Mac thinks it tastes good, it must be... Meredith's recipe or not!'

She set the hot dish on the table and proceeded to serve.  Then she handed AJ the bowl of whipped cream.  "It's mocha whipped cream.  It's delicious in coffee, too," she added. "Especially when you're eating the soufflé."

AJ decided to try a dollop in his coffee, though he usually took it black.  Then he put a spoonful on his serving of soufflé.  He handed Mac the bowl and she repeated his motions.  Mac picked up her spoon and dipped it into her dessert dish.  This time, AJ repeated her motion.  She watched him as he tasted the soufflé and was thrilled to see his eyes light up in delight.  "Mac!  This is sinful, it's so good!"

She smiled happily; "I'm so glad you like it, Admiral.  It's my favorite dessert.  I only make it for special occasions... or special people."

AJ looked up.  "I'm honored.  Thank you."  He took another bite and a sip of coffee.  "And this is Meredith's recipe, you said?" he questioned.

Mac shook her head.  "Actually, Sir, I said I got the recipe from Meredith.  She said it was her mother's recipe."

AJ chuckled.  "And you had me sitting here all through dinner dreading what was to come."  He looked her straight in the eyes.  "And you did it on purpose!" he said in a menacing tone.

Mac giggled.  "Guilty, as charged!"  

The twosome laughed heartily at Mac's little joke.  Finally, AJ caught his breath and said, "I wonder if I should suggest to Meredith that she'd be better off taking cooking lessons than flying lessons?"

That started them off on another round of laughter.  "Harm would be relieved, that's for sure!  But do you think your stomach could take all the trial and error?"

"Hell, Mac, all I get now is error!" he chortled, as his cell phone began to ring.  "Damn phone," he muttered, pulling the small flip phone from his pocket.  He looked at the number on the display.  "SecNav," he sighed.  Mac groaned.  AJ opened the phone, "Chegwidden!"

"You lost!" Sheffield barked.

"Yes, Sir."

"Do you have any idea how bad that makes me look!?"

"Yes, Sir."

Sheffield rattled on for another five minutes, ranting and raving about what a bad job AJ and Mac had done prosecuting.  AJ kept eating his dessert and sipping his coffee through the tirade, and he rolled his eyes at Mac.  She smiled in sympathy.  "Want some more?" she mouthed to him. He nodded. 

AJ ate a second helping of soufflé before the SecNav finally ended his tirade with a question.  "And what the hell good is a retrial?  If you couldn't convict him the first time, what makes you think you can a second time?"

"Well, Mr. Secretary, I'll tell you.  This time, I get to choose the court date.  I get to determine how long we have to prepare for this case.  And no one... not you, not the Senator... can rush that.  Which means that Colonel MacKenzie and I will have sufficient time to gather evidence against Bailey and protect our witnesses from whomever else is involved in this. I don't want any more showing up dead.  Bailey is guilty; there's no doubt in my mind.  And we will prove it at the retrial."

When he hung up several minutes later, Mac had already cleared the dining table and was rinsing the dishes.  He walked into the kitchen and saw her apron threaded through the handle of the fridge door.  He pulled it out and walked up behind Mac, slipping it over her head and wrapping the ties around her waist.  "Don't want you to ruin your lovely blouse, Mac," he said in her ear.

A shiver went down Mac's spine as she felt his breath on her neck.  "Thank you, Sir," she said, calling upon every ounce of her willpower not to step back and press herself into his body.  She continued rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, as AJ leaned against the counter and watched.  When she finished, she tried to untie the apron.  "What'd you do, tie this in a knot?"

AJ grinned mischievously.  "Now what makes you think a sailor would tie a knot in your apron?"

Mac glared at him.  "I can just lift it over my head, you know," she retorted.

"Where's the fun in that, Mac?" he asked.  She looked at him quizzically, and he stepped closer to her.  "Would you like me to untie you?"  Mac's breathing quickly changed from normal to short and erratic.  She didn't trust herself to speak, so she just nodded.  AJ grinned, enjoying the effect he was having on her.  'I shouldn't be, though.  I shouldn't be enjoying it.  I shouldn't be causing it.  I shouldn't be here, plain and simple,' his conscience told him.  'Certainly not after the shower incident the other night.'

AJ reached around Mac's waist, rather than turning her around.  Alarms started going off in both of their brains calling, 'Danger! Danger!  Back off!'

But Mac didn't move, and AJ's hands continued slowly around her waist, their eyes locked on each other.  She could feel his hands untying the knot in the apron.  He rested his palms against the small of her back as he worked the knot out of the ribbons.  She felt the apron loosen and fall to her sides, the ribbons dangling.  But his hands were still on her back.  Mac knew it was her move.  He was giving her an out.  But she didn't want an out.  She moved her hands from her sides, gently placing them on AJ's chest and then slowly moving them up around his neck.  

The alarms were louder now,  'Danger! Danger!  Back off!  This is a mistake!'

AJ's lips parted slightly in anticipation.  Mac licked hers in response.  And their heads moved slowly toward each other.  Closer and closer... until they were a breath away.  

"Hey, Mac!" Harm's voice sliced through their special moment like a knife, and they each jerked back.  "I picked up a great movie; thought we could watch it tonight!" Harm continued.  "Where are you?"

"We're in the kitchen, Harm," Mac said, her voice a little shaky.  

"We?  Who's we?" Harm asked.  He walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see AJ.  "Admiral, Sir!"  Harm looked from one to the other and back again.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't realize you'd already be working on the retrial."

"We're not, actually, Commander," AJ said.  "Just a nice dinner where we don't have to work."  AJ turned back to Mac.  "And it was a delicious dinner, Colonel.  Especially the dessert.  Thank you."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Admiral," Mac replied.

"Dessert?  Any left?" asked Harm.

"No, there's not," Mac said.  "It wouldn't be any good now even if there were.  It's only good right out of the oven."

"Best soufflé I've ever had, Mac.  I'll bet it would rival that of Café La Ruche," AJ praised her again.

Mac blushed.  "It's not that good, Sir."

"I beg to differ with you.  It is that good," he contradicted.

"What's that good?" asked Harm.

"Her chocolate soufflé with mocha whipped cream, of course," AJ said.

"You can make a chocolate soufflé, Mac?" Harm asked in surprise.

AJ turned puzzled eyes to Mac.  She had said she only made that dessert on special occasions and for special people.  Surely she'd made it for Harm before.  But Mac shook her head slightly, knowing his question.  His eyes softened and he smiled with them.  "I really should be going now.  Mac, thanks again."

As AJ walked into the living room, he heard Mac say to Harm, "Don't you ever knock? Harm, you're not supposed to use my key unless I'm out of town or something."

"Mac, I did knock... a couple of times. I guess being in the kitchen, you didn't hear me. So I just came in," Harm explained.

"Next time, try the doorbell," Mac reprimanded as they joined the Admiral in the living room. AJ donned his jacket and said good night. "Good night, Sir. Thank you for coming."

"Wouldn't have missed it, Mac. Good night." He looked up at Harm. "Enjoy your movie."

Mac closed the door behind AJ and turned around to find Harm inspecting the roses on the dining table. "Mac, these roses are gorgeous! Where'd they come from?"

"The florist on 8th Avenue." Harm looked up at her expectantly. He obviously wanted to know who sent them... or in this case, who brought them. Mac just shrugged and said, "That's what the box said, Harm. Eighth Avenue Florist." She was not going to tell him the flowers were from the Admiral.

Tuesday, 29 October 2002
0830 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ was annoyed with Tiner.  'Did he have to broadcast to the whole bullpen that I sent flowers to someone? And then breast vs. breath; I swear, that boy has no tact!  And then to correct my color choice in front of all my people?  Mac especially!  God, I hope those pink roses aren't the same color as the ones I gave Mac last night.  That would be a mite difficult to explain. And what did Rabb mean "pink would go with her eyes"?' AJ's thoughts tumbled over and over.

He picked up the phone and dialed the florist. He insisted on talking to the owner of the shop. "This is Admiral AJ Chegwidden. I ordered a dozen roses for delivery today, and someone in your shop had trouble with the verse I wanted on the card. It's a takeoff on Shakespeare. 'To the soft breast of heaven, I did present myself unto thee.' Got it?"

"So it's 'breast', as in a woman's breast... not 'breath', as in breathing. Right?" the woman said.

AJ rolled his eyes. He would not be using this florist again. "Right," he sighed and hung up.

He sat down in the chair in front of the cold fireplace.  'Damn good thing Rabb showed up last night when he did.  Otherwise, I'd be facing 10-to-15 in Leavenworth!  Geez, Chegwidden... you're going to have to do something about that.  Well, at least I have a few days to come up with that "something",' he sighed heavily, knowing that Mac and the others would be on their way to Point Magoo shortly.

Wednesday, 30 October 2002
1945 EST
Meredith Cavanaugh's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

AJ opened the windows in the dining room and kitchen to air out the apartment. He couldn't believe Meredith had actually set the rice on fire... on purpose! Of course, then it got away from her, and she'd had to use the emergency fire blanket to put out the fire. And now the entire place smelled of burned rice and grease. "You okay in there?" AJ called to Meredith in her bedroom.

"Fine!" she called back. "Just changing my blouse. I want to put this one in the sink to start soaking it."

"Meredith, I don't think soaking it is going to help, Darlin'. The fire burned holes in the fabric. Not much you can do to salvage that."

She walked out of her bedroom and smiled. "You ready to eat?"

"Why don't you just let me take you out tonight?" AJ offered, hoping she would agree. He was hungry, and he did not want indigestion for the next couple of days.

"Don't be silly, AJ! The fish is fine. And we have the salads. And I made something special for dessert."

AJ thought back to Monday night's dinner with Mac. 'Now that was a nice dinner... and what a dessert! And she's never made that soufflé for Harm; that surprises me. He's not special enough to her? That doesn't make sense. I mean the man had a key to her apartment and just walked right in like he owned the place!'

"AJ?" Meredith said, trying to get his attention. "Come and sit... we can eat now."

They'd been eating for about 10 minutes when suddenly AJ felt something strange. "Meredith, I just swallowed a fish bone," he rasped.

"Oh no, you couldn't have, AJ. I deboned the fish myself," she told him. Now AJ knew he was in trouble.

He started coughing and choking. "Definitely... a... bone..." he managed to say. He was really struggling now.

Meredith was out of her seat instantly and pulling AJ to an angle so she could get to him. She put her arms around him and squeezed. AJ grunted. She did it again, and up came the fish bone... in several pieces. "Oh my," she said, seeing the bones he held in his hand. "I guess I missed some."

"I guess you did," he said taking a long swallow of his wine.  AJ was very careful from then on. He picked apart his fish until it was just flakes on his plate. He pushed all the bones to one side of his plate and carefully ate the fish. Unfortunately, now that there were bones to consider, he couldn't just swallow it hole; he had to chew it... and therefore, taste it.

When they finished dinner, Meredith asked, "Are you ready for dessert?"

AJ grinned wolfishly. "And dessert would be... you?"

Meredith bubbled in laughter. "No, not me! Well, yes me... but that's later. After dessert. I made a mince pie."

"Meredith, I'm really not ready for dessert just now. That was a filling meal, and I..."

"Okay," she agreed. "We can eat the pie later."  

But they never got around to eating the pie. Not after Meredith succeeded in injuring AJ's back while she gave him her version of a back massage.

Thursday, 31 October 2002
0840 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

It took him an hour longer to get showered and dressed this morning, but AJ was finally at the office. He knew he wouldn't get to his office without being seen, but he had hoped no one would say anything to him. But there was Harriett. Sweet, concerned Harriett. "Sir, are you alright?"

"Old injury, Lieutenant," he told her.

"Combat, Sir?"

"Hand to hand," he replied quickly. 'And what hands!' he thought. 'Meredith's hands are probably lethal weapons, and she doesn't even know it!'

AJ spent the better part of an hour trying to get comfortable in his office. It just wasn't going to happen. He buzzed his yeoman.  "Tiner, get me an appointment with a chiropractor... today. If he can come here, that would be best," AJ ordered.

'Chiropractor?' Tiner thought. "Geez, maybe it really wasn't what I thought...'  "Which chiropractor would you prefer, Sir?"

"Hell, I don't know, Tiner!  Just call a chiropractor... any chiropractor!"

"Aye, aye, Sir!" Tiner replied.  He knew that Commander Rabb had talked about visiting a chiropractor only last week; maybe he could find the number in his desk.  As luck would have it, he did.  Dr. Barrett's card was sitting proudly right next to Harm's phone set.

An hour later, Dr. Barrett arrived to adjust AJ's back. He took one look at AJ and shook his head. "Who did this to you, Admiral?"

"My girlfriend," he grunted. "She was giving me a massage... found a knot... and pushed... obviously in the wrong place."

Dr. Barrett groaned. "I do wish people wouldn't use so much force when they don't know what they're doing. She could have done some real damage. As it is, she apparently caused a severe spasm of the musculature near the spine... in the fine muscles. That pulled and tightened the tendons and ligaments which, in turn, probably pulled the vertebrae out of alignment," the man explained. "Admiral, I'm going to adjust you now to give you some relief, but I really need you to come in to the office this afternoon and let me x-ray your spine... just to be sure she didn't injure something else."

"That'll be fine, Doctor. Just do something so I can walk and sit," AJ requested.  "I have a busy day ahead."

"Okay, this is just going to be a very slight adjustment. I don't dare do anything major until I've x-rayed your spine, you understand."

"Yes, yes... just do it, please!"

Dr. Barrett made the adjustment and left with AJ's promise to come by his office at 1645.

Thursday, 31 October 2002
1700 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ was hardly moving again by 1700.  He knew he was missing his appointment with the chiropractor, but it couldn't be helped.  He still had several calls to make before he could leave for the day.  If the doctor was still there when he finished the calls, he'd go to his office.

He heard a knock on his door and called out, "Enter!"  His voice wasn't nearly as strong and resonant as it usually was, he knew.  He just hoped whomever it was didn't notice.  She did.

Mac opened the door, "Admiral?" she asked in a concerned voice.  "Are you okay?  Harriett said you were having back trouble this morning... and Tiner said that you even had a chiropractor in here earlier."  Mac walked up to his desk.  AJ tried to stand and almost fell forward on his desk.  She rushed around to his side and helped him sit back in his chair.  "You look awful, Sir," she said.

"Gee, thanks, Colonel," he grumbled.

"I didn't mean it like that, Sir," she backtracked.  "Admiral, Tiner said something about an appointment at the doctor's office this afternoon.  What time is that?"

"1645."

"It's 1704, Sir," she informed him.

"You think I don't know that?" he snapped.  He looked up and saw the concerned expression on her face.  "I just have a couple more calls to make, and then I can leave."

"Admiral, you shouldn't be driving in your condition.  I'll drive you to the doctor, and you can make your calls as we go," she suggested... although it actually sounded more like an order.

AJ almost said something about that, but he changed his mind.  He really was in pain.  And he really didn't want to drive.  "Okay."

Mac was that much more concerned now; the Admiral had actually given in... with no argument or fight... and had even allowed her to give him an order.  As AJ stood up again and tried to walk, Mac urged him to stay put.  "Let me get Harm to help you outside, Sir.  The last thing you need to do is fall."

He looked up at Mac and grinned. "Why don't you help me, Mac?"

Mac smiled.  "I would, but I might find I couldn't let go," she teased, although both of them knew that the teasing was far too close to the truth.

She found Harm, and they made their way through the bullpen with the Admiral.  As they rode the elevator down, AJ said, "So Harm, you called Meredith back yet?"

Harm cringed.  "Yes, Sir.  I called her this afternoon when we got back to the office."

"And?"

"I told her that I wasn't taking the plane back up until I'd overhauled her," Harm said, feeling only slightly guilty.

"And are you going to overhaul it?" Mac asked.

"Yes," Harm sighed.  "I guess I'll have to now."

When Harm, Mac, and AJ reached the parking lot, Mac realized that the Admiral would not be able to get in her car. "Sir, we should just take your vehicle; I'll drive. Harm, take him to the passenger side," she ordered. "Admiral? The keys, please?"

Harm waited for the Admiral to argue with her and was surprised when he didn't. AJ withdrew a set of keys from his pants pocket and tossed them to Mac. When AJ was finally settled into the passenger seat of the Escalade, Mac pulled out of the parking lot. "Where's the doctor's office, Sir?" she asked.

Damn! I knew there was something I'd forgotten!" AJ answered. "I have no idea. I left the card and directions Tiner printed out for me on my desk." Mac was just about to turn around when he continued, "Dr. Barrett said his office is fairly close by, though."

"Dr. Jonathan Barrett?" Mac clarified.

"Yes, I believe that's it, Mac. Tiner got his number from Harm's desk. Evidently he's been seeing him."

Mac smiled. "And Harm got the number from me." Mac turned right at the next light. "I've been going to Dr. Barrett for a couple of years now, Sir. He's excellent."

When they arrived at the chiropractor's office, Mac told the Admiral to stay put until she got some help. She was back in no time with a burly man to assist AJ. They walked inside just as Dr. Barrett was finishing up with a patient. "Well, I can certainly see why you're late, Admiral. Then again, from the looks of it, you should have come early!" Dr. Barrett told him. Then he spied Mac and said, "Sarah, hello! I'll be with you in..." he stopped, realizing that she was helping the Admiral. "Are you with the Admiral?" he asked.

Mac nodded, "Hi, Jon. Yes, I drove him..." AJ looked back and forth between Mac and the doctor; was there something between them? He decided not.

"Sarah, please tell me that you're not the girlfriend who did this to him!?" Dr. Barrett asked.

AJ shook his head as Mac said, "Girlfriend?" She turned to AJ, "Admiral? What happened? Harriett said this was an old combat injury!"

AJ sighed. "I lied, okay? No, it's not an old injury... combat or otherwise. Meredith was giving me a massage last night and she pushed on something she shouldn't have."

"Oh God..." Mac began. "Was it at least before dinner, Sir?" Mac tried to make light of the situation.

AJ pressed his eyes closed as he shook his head in reply, "No, damn it. First was the fish bone stuck in my throat... well, not actually the first. The fire was first; but she handled that herself pretty well. Then was the fish bone," AJ groaned, "and her version of the Heimlich maneuver. It worked, but God, it hurt like hell. Then she decided to give me a back massage to make that feel better."

"Sounds like the date from hell," offered the burly man who had helped AJ out of his vehicle.

AJ nodded. "You got that right."

Not quite an hour later, AJ was moving a lot easier and with very little pain. AJ agreed to come back for another adjustment on Friday and Monday, and to call the doctor over the weekend if the pain got worse again. "You're not seeing this woman this weekend, I trust?" asked Dr. Barrett.

"Actually, we did have plans for Saturday," AJ told him. "Gonna be canceling those, though. She wanted to go parasailing."

"Parasailing!?" cried both Dr. Barrett and Mac.

"Is she crazy?" added the burly man.

AJ nodded, "I'm definitely beginning to think so; yes!"

Mac and AJ left, this time with AJ driving his own vehicle. "Sorry to have taken up so much of your evening, Mac," AJ said quietly. "But I do appreciate your..."

"It was my pleasure, Admiral. I'm just glad you're out of pain," she interrupted.

"I just hope she doesn't come up with something else for this weekend," AJ muttered to himself.

"You could always suggest a nice quiet evening at..." Mac started.

AJ chuckled. "How do you think this happened, Mac?" He turned to glance at her. "It was supposed to be a nice quiet evening. I haven't had one of those with Meredith since... our second date," he nodded. "Yep, that was the last one. They just turn out... wrong."

Mac tried to hide her smile. "I'm sorry, Sir."

"I really like Meredith; it's just that she's so..." AJ hesitated, "dangerous!"

"Maybe you should consider what it is that you like about her and weigh that against the danger?" Mac suggested.

'What do I like about Meredith?' AJ thought to himself. 'She's witty, attractive, seems to know what makes me tick, well educated... loves Shakespeare.' He corrected himself aloud, "No, she doesn't love it. She knows Shakespeare... appreciates Shakespeare... but she doesn't love it."

"Chloe said the same thing," offered Mac.

"Chloe said what?" asked AJ.

"You said you didn't believe Meredith actually loves Shakespeare... just that she knows Shakespeare," Mac replied. AJ's expression let Mac know that he hadn't realized he'd spoken aloud. "Chloe was in that summer theatre workshop that Meredith taught, remember?"

AJ nodded, "Aaah, yes. That's how I made a complete fool of myself in front of her the first time we met." He grinned evilly. "Well, I'd say she's certainly evened up that score... and then some!"

Mac burst into laughter. "Admiral! Shame on you!"

AJ chuckled, "I know, Mac. But you weren't there when she serenaded me in that lounge." AJ turned into the JAG parking lot and pulled alongside Mac's 'Vette. "Thanks again, Mac."

"Not a problem, Sir. Now I have to get home for all those little trick-or-treaters."

Friday, 1 November 2002
1140 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac waited patiently to see the Admiral. He'd been behind closed doors all morning. She had an idea for their gathering more information and gaining witnesses on the smuggling case, and she wanted to run it by him. She looked up from her desk when she heard someone clearing their throat in her doorway.

Mac jumped to her feet, "Admiral, Sir!"

AJ smiled. "Keep your seat, Colonel. Tiner said you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Sir," Mac said, sitting back down.

"Can it wait until this afternoon?" he asked.

Mac's expression slipped a bit. "Of course, Admiral. It can wait."

"Mac?" AJ countered. "Should it wait?"

"It doesn't really matter, Sir. This afternoon is fine," she replied.

"Subject?"

Mac looked around the Admiral's frame to be sure no one was within hearing distance. "The weapons smuggling case, Sir. And an idea for gaining information."

AJ raised an eyebrow. "Okay, Mac. I was going out for lunch, but I'd rather hear this. Let's go down and grab something from the cafeteria and come back up to my office. You can tell me your idea while we eat." Mac hesitated for a second. "Something wrong, Colonel?" he asked. "You already have plans for lunch?" he nodded toward Harm's office.

Mac flushed slightly. "No, Sir. No plans."

Once settled into his office with their lunches, AJ said, "All right, Mac, what's your idea?"

"It came to me last night, Sir. When the kids were trick-or-treating," Mac started.

AJ chuckled. "We're going trick-or-treating, Mac?"

Mac smiled, "That's right, Admiral."

AJ's laugh died in his throat. "I was kidding, Mac."

"I know, Sir. But I'm not," Mac replied.

Mac explained her idea in full to the Admiral. "Mac, that's ingenious. Let's do it! This weekend good for you to get started?  It's going to take more than one, you know." She nodded. "Good. I have a few calls to make, and I do need to go by Dr. Barrett's office... then I'll have to go home and pack a few things... then we can get started."

"Sir, why don't I go ahead and get the things we'll need from the store for this trip, and I'll pick you up at your place?" Mac proposed.  "I thought the homeless idea would be best to do first."

He nodded his agreement.  "You already talked to Webb?" She nodded. "Good. We'll take my vehicle, Mac," he said. Then he felt the need to explain. "My back... your car would be a little..."

Mac smiled as it dawned on her, "Understood, Sir."

"Come on to my house at 1700. You can leave your car in the garage for the weekend," he told her.  "Oh, and dress casually, but not ragged... we'll stop and change before we get to Norfolk."  Mac nodded her agreement.

Friday, 1 November 2002
1845 EST
Interstate 95 South
Richmond, Virginia

AJ pulled off the Interstate and pulled onto Jefferson Davis Highway in Richmond. Mac looked around, confused. Before she voiced her question, he supplied her answer. "I thought we'd go ahead and stop for dinner here in Richmond. We don't want to take the chance of being recognized once we get to Norfolk."

Mac nodded her understanding. "Good idea, Sir."  

"How does Italian sound?" AJ asked. Mac smiled; she knew AJ loved Italian food. "There's a little place just off the highway called Valentino's. It's pretty good."

"That sounds just fine, Sir." AJ pulled into the crowded parking lot. Mac looked at the mass of people waiting outside in the cold. "Looks like it's going to be a long wait, Admiral. Maybe we should try someplace else."

"Let's go and in ask first," he suggested, finding a parking spot. AJ wasn't moving as quickly as he usually did; he was trying to take it somewhat easy due to his back. When he reached the back of the vehicle to go around to Mac's side, she was already waiting for him. "Shall we?" he offered his arm.

Mac was surprised at his action, but she laid her hand in the crook of his elbow. They entered the restaurant, hearing people who'd just come out saying, "It's an hour wait."

AJ kept them moving, where Mac would have just turned around and gone elsewhere. They reached the hostess podium and AJ said, "Chegwidden.  La tavola per due, per favore."  ("Chegwidden. Table for two, please.")

The young girl at the podium looked up and smiled brightly. "Admeeral!" she chirped. She pushed a yellow button on the inside of the podium before she stepped around and jumped into AJ's outstretched arms. She hugged his neck and kissed his cheek, as he did her.

"Gina, I do believe you've grown another three inches!" AJ smiled at the girl.

In almost the blink of an eye, a man a little younger than AJ appeared. "AJ, è buono per vederlo! È stato troppo lungo poiché lei è venuto al mio ristorante. ("AJ, it is good to see you! It has been too long since you came to my restaurant.")

"Luigi. È stato un mentre, ha non?" ("Luigi. It has been a while, hasn't it?")

"Sì, ha. Oh?" Luigi noticed Mac standing just behind AJ. "Questa donna bella è vostra?" ("Yes, it has. Oh? ... Is this lovely woman yours?")

"Desidero! No, Luigi, lavora per me." ("I wish! No, Luigi, she works for me.")

"I lavori per lei, eh? Introdurrme. Il Gina ha bisogno di una madre nuova!" Luigi grinned wolfishly. ("Works for you, eh? Introduce me. Gina needs a new mother!")

Mac had no idea what the two men were saying, but she did catch Luigi eyeing her. She began to feel a little uncomfortable. But when AJ reached out and put his arm around Mac's waist, her discomfort vanished. "Guardare altrove, Luigi. Non do lei su!" AJ chuckled. ("Look elsewhere, Luigi. I'm not giving her up!")

Gina piped up then.  "Papà!  Ho diciotto anni; non ho bisogno di una madre nuova. Lei ha bisogno di una moglie nuova!"  ("Papà!  I'm 18 years old; I do not need a new mother. You need a new wife!")  Then men laughed and Gina giggled; it was obvious from the expression on Mac's face that she didn't understand a word of what the men were saying.  "Papà, Admeeral, we should speak in English.  It is impolite to speak in Italian when someone does not understand."  Mac smiled at Gina.

"You're absolutely right, Gina," AJ said.  He turned to Mac, "Sorry about that, Mac."  Then he introduced her. "Mac, this is Luigi Valentino and his daughter Gina.  And this," AJ tightened his grip around Mac's waist, "is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie."

"Nice to meet you both," Mac said, wondering at the Admiral's actions.  It was almost like he was staking his claim, but she knew that was absurd.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Colonel," offered Gina.

Mac smiled, again.  "It's Mac."

"Mac?  Such a name for a beautiful woman?" queried Luigi.

"It's short for MacKenzie," Mac explained.

"Aah, but such a woman should be called by a beautiful name.  Sarah?  Sì, this is a fitting name.  But Mac?" Luigi shook his head.  "No."  He reached out and took Mac's hand, raising it to his lips, and pressing a kiss on the back of her hand.  "You are most welcome here, Sarah.  And when you tire of this old man," he nodded toward AJ, "you let me know, yes?"

Mac didn't have time to answer.  Gina interrupted.  "Papà, I should seat them now.  Go back to the kitchen," she scolded, "and leave the Admeeral's woman alone."

"Gina..." AJ began.

"She is right, AJ.  I will check on you later," said Luigi.  He leaned closer to Mac and said, "Perhaps when he visits the restroom, I will take his place with you, yes?"

Mac laughed as AJ growled, "The hell you will!"  He grinned at Gina.  "Lead the way, Darlin'."

As they sat at the best table in the house, Mac whispered, "They had this table reserved for you, Admiral.  Did you call ahead and let them know we were coming?"

AJ shook his head.  "Nope.  They always have this table reserved; it's only for people they consider their extra-special friends or family."

"That's amazing.  I've never known a restaurant to do that before," Mac said.

AJ smiled.  "Not many do anymore.  But Luigi won't change.  He's done this for years... even in Italy before they came over."

"How do you happen to know him, Sir?"

"Luigi's wife was my ex-wife's first cousin," AJ explained quietly.  "Francesca and Marcella were more like sisters than cousins, actually.  They grew up together... did practically everything together."

"Francesca?" Mac clarified.

AJ nodded.  "Yes, Marcella and I named our daughter after her."

"You said 'was', Sir.  'Luigi's wife was'.  What happened to her?" Mac asked.

"She was in a drive-by shooting six years ago, right outside the restaurant... died in Luigi's arms.  We thought we were going to lose him for a while after that, but Gina finally got through to him.  She was only 11 at the time; but she was a feisty little thing," AJ recalled.

Mac was going to continue her questions, but their waiter approached, so she had to concentrate on the menu for a minute.  Once they ordered, AJ changed the subject.  They talked about their plans for the weekend, and how they would keep their witnesses safe... assuming they found anyone who was willing to talk.  "When we're finished with dinner, we'll change clothes in the rest rooms and leave our things with Gina.  Then we can stop back by here on the way home Sunday night."

By 2015, having eaten their fill of manicotti, eggplant parmesan, and pasta putenesca, AJ and Mac changed into their newly acquired tattered clothes, and were back on the road heading for Interstate 64 East.  

Friday, 1 November 2002
2245 EST
Luxury Motel
Norfolk, Virginia

When they reached Norfolk, AJ pulled off the highway and into the parking lot of a run-down motel.  "Sorry about the accommodations, Mac, but..." he shrugged.  

Mac grinned.  "Perfectly acceptable, Sir.  Looks like a palace, in fact," she teased.  "Certainly better than a park bench."  He had surprised her earlier when she arrived at his home and he was packing a beat-up old pick-up truck.  He explained that their showing up in his Escalade wouldn't exactly go along with their plan if anyone saw them.  His ancient truck would be better.  And he was right.  Then he'd thought to have them change clothes before they arrived in Norfolk... but after they had dinner at a very nice restaurant.  Now this motel.  Would he ever stop surprising her?  'Not to mention his possessiveness at Valentino's.'

They climbed out of the truck and he grabbed her hand, leaned her back against the door and pressed his mouth to hers.  She was startled, to say the least, but even more so when he lifted his lips just enough to speak.  To anyone watching, they were still kissing.  "No more 'Sir' or 'Admiral', Mac.  It's 'AJ' until we leave here on Sunday," he whispered urgently.  He lowered his lips to hers again.  Then just as quickly, backed away and pulled her along with him. They headed to the motel office.  "Got a room?" AJ asked as they walked inside.

The desk clerk looked up from the TV.  "How long ya need?  Couple o' hours or all night?"

"Couple of days."

"Days?" The clerk quickly stood up.  "Cash only.  In advance," he said taking in their shabby appearance.

"How much?"

"Eighteen bucks a night.  That gets ya clean towels ever' day."

Mac looked up at AJ.  "Kinda high, ain't they, Babe?" she asked.

AJ chuckled to himself.  'She's good at this.'  "Yeah, it is.  But clean towels..."  He turned back to the clerk.  "How much without the clean towels every day?"

"Still eighteen bucks a night.  The towels is thrown in," the clerk replied.  "You ain't gonna find a better rate, not around this part o' town."

"We could try," suggested Mac. "We ain't got money to burn. Why we wastin' money on a motel anyway, Babe? We do fine under the stars, long as we got our new jackets," she said, rubbing her hands on the sleeves of her tattered jacket.

"Naah, I want to get you in bed, Sarah," AJ replied, grinning wolfishly at Mac.  "A real bed!"  He put his arm around her shoulders letting his hand slip down and stroke the side of her breast.  AJ hoped Mac reacted well to this.  It wouldn't do for her to haul off and deck him now!

Mac looked up into AJ's eyes and smiled.  "I don't care if we're in a bed or on the sidewalk, AJ.  I just want you," she said seductively. "Last night under the bridge was pretty incredible, you know."

The clerk cleared his throat, "You wanna pay for two nights or three?" he asked as he stared at AJ's hand on Mac's breast.

"Three," AJ replied, pulling six $10 bills from his pocket. 

Mac put her hand on his arm. "Two," she corrected.  "Don't use all our money on this, Babe.  We still have to get gas for the truck."

AJ reluctantly nodded, and repeated, "Two." He returned two of the bills to his pocket and waited for the clerk to give him his change and the room key.  Then they left, AJ's hand resting on Mac's butt cheek... and Mac's on AJ's.

Mac opened the door to their motel room and AJ carried their plastic shopping bags inside.  "Ingenious, Mac!  Packing all this stuff in plastic grocery bags."

"Well, that seemed to be what the homeless people we saw were carrying, Sir.  So I thought..."

"Mac," AJ warned.  "It's 'AJ'.  You slip here, you might slip out there."

She nodded.  "Sorry."  She lowered her eyes.  "I'm sorry, too, for the comments I made in there."

"Mac, no apologies.  We're doing this together, as a team.  Undercover work is never easy.  Whatever we have to do, we'll do.  I'm pretty sure to be doing and saying a hell of a lot more to you than the other way around.  Things that I should beg your forgiveness for when this is all said and done.  And I don't want to have to keep track.  No apologies.  Not you to me.  Not me to you.  It's an assignment.  No recrimination.  Deal?"

Mac nodded as she kicked off her shoes.  "Deal."  She was relieved.

"Okay."  AJ looked at the ancient full-size bed.  "Rather small," he commented.  "So which side of the bed do you want?"

"I'll just sleep in the..." Mac hesitated as she looked around the room.  "On the floor," she finished, realizing that the bed and a mirror on the wall were the only two pieces of furniture in the entire room.  

"Mac, the bed is small, but it's big enough for two people.  Now, which side of the bed do you want?" he insisted as he toed off his shoes and stripped out of his shirt and pants.

Mac stared at him standing before her in his undershirt and boxers. "We can't sleep in that bed together," she said urgently.

"Mac, I'm not sleeping on the floor with my back like it is... and neither are you.  Now we can take shifts if you want, but I'd rather get a full night's sleep... as should you."  She still didn't look convinced.  "Geez, Sarah, after what you said in the office just now..." he teased. 

Mac grinned evilly.  "I usually sleep in the middle, Babe," she teased, wiggling out of her pants, but leaving her shirt on. She reached up underneath it and unhooked her bra, then worked it off under her shirt.

AJ raised an eyebrow and grinned back at her.  "Good.  Then it won't matter which side I sleep on." Mac giggled. "Let's go on to sleep now, Mac," AJ said, all kidding aside. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulled his socks off and then his undershirt. "We need to be up and in the park by the harbour early in the morning." 

Continue to Part 5