Title: Dreams Come True
Authors: Shannon ([email protected]), Kris ([email protected]), Rising Sun ([email protected]), Kim, Sarah B. ([email protected]), Clair ([email protected]), and Paula B. ([email protected])
The FF of Shannon is archived at: http://www.geocities.com/kitty72885/
The FF of Rising Sun is archived at: http://www.geocities.com/jagrslc
Updates on Rising Sun FF join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jagrslc
Join the Fan Fiction Challenge at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ffchallange/
Spoilers: Some One To Watch Over Annie, The Stalker, Retreat Hell, People vs Rabb, Yeah Baby, Touch and Go, Going After Francesca, A Tangled Webb
Disclaimers in place…
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"D |
amn it Webb!!! Why the hell did you let me go looking for her when you knew she was married?!" AJ growled, the next day as he entered Webb's office.
"Hello and how are you too, AJ! Married? She's not married."
"She is! I saw her and Brumby going into their apartment, they were both wearing wedding rings."
"God you do have it bad! She was undercover as a widow. Mac met him at a party and he took her home, that's it, that's all. She was in here yesterday asking about you. My god, man, get your head out of your six and go after her already! She wanted to contact you but she had no idea what to say. I am beginning to feel like I am running a dating service for you two!!!"
For just a minute AJ thought about breaking the spy's nose again, but restrained himself when he thought that he still needed this help. "What do you mean she wanted to contact me?"
"Which part of the statement did you not understand exactly, AJ?" there was a pause and Webb added, "If I can get you two both in the same place at the same time can you handle the rest? Or do I need to be there hold your hand through that too?"
Glaring at the spy, AJ snarled, "Just make the arrangements Webb, I can take it from there!"
Sighing, Webb picked up the phone and placed a call to Mac's office. "Mac? It's Webb. Listen I want you to have dinner with me this evening so we can talk over how you should contact AJ. The two of you guys are meant to be together and I am tired of watching you guys dance around each other for all these years. Meet me tonight at Chez Louie's at 1900."
~*~*~*~*~
1900 EST
CHEZ LOUIE'S RESTAURANT
LONDON
AJ had been at the restaurant for ten minutes when Sarah arrived exactly on time as she always was. He wanted to wait to make his presence known, to be sure that she would not take one look at him, at the table that she was supposed to be sharing with Webb, and run off into the night. There was a single red rose at her place when the waiter showed her to her seat and held her chair out for her. She lifted it to her nose and with her eyes closed, inhaled deeply of the heavy sensual scent. Approaching the table at last, AJ sat down while her eyes were still closed.
Hearing the chair across from her being pulled out and someone sitting down, Mac still enjoyed the scent of her rose for a few more seconds. Assuming it was just Webb, she was in no hurry to greet him, even if he was the provider of the lovely rose. When she finally opened her eyes, she was looking into the dearest, sexiest chocolate brown eyes she had ever known…
"Hello, Sarah."
Mac sat there stunned. She figured she had to be dreaming. Her dreams had been deceiving her lately so, why should now be any different. "I'm dreaming, aren't I?"
AJ smiled. "No" He moved around to sit in the chair beside her and took her hand in his. "See, I am very much real and very much here."
"But...how?"
"Webb"
Mac slowly nodded her head in understanding. She could hardly believe that he was sitting next to her, holding her hand. Neither one of them were saying anything. AJ gently stroked her hand. Finally, needing to break the silence he cleared his throat.
"Webb told me you were looking for me."
"I heard him tell me the same thing."
AJ smiled and nodded his head. "Well, here we are. I guess we found each other."
Mac nodded her head and look down at her hand being held. She never thought one simple touch could mean so much to her. If she was dreaming, then this was the memory she wanted to hold onto to.
The waiter came to the table and interrupted them before AJ got the chance to say anything else.
"Good evening. I will be your server today. My name is Clay. Mr. Webb said I was to give you anything you wanted tonight on him. Please forgive me, but I was also told to give you both a direct quoted message from Mr. Webb." The waiter pulled a small piece of paper out of his pocket. He began to read, "I have done my damn part as matchmaker. My dating services ends here. Enjoy dinner on me. I expect the first invitation to your wedding." The waiter handed the slip of paper to AJ. He was smiling when he looked at Mac who had turned a few shades of red.
"So, what can I start you with?"
AJ and Mac looked at the menu and told the waiter their drink order. The waiter wrote down their requests and left the table. A few minutes later he returned with their drinks. AJ and Mac placed their dinner order and then the waiter was gone again, leaving AJ to take over where Webb had left off.
"I think Webb is trying to tell us something."
Mac nodded her head and waited for AJ to continue. She desperately wanted to know where he stood. There had been so many miscommunications. To this point, fate had not been kind to them. She seemed to be suffering from one nightmare to another. Her dreams were playing very EVIL and cruel tricks on her. She was almost doubting how AJ felt for her, but there he sat. Right next to her was the man she was hopeless and passionately in love with and he came all the way to London to find her. He didn't chase after Meredith. He came to find her. That had to mean something. She hoped that he felt the same way that she did, but she had to know from him first.
AJ searched Mac's eyes and saw confusion and yes, even fear. 'Can she possible think after all this that I don't love her?' He had his fair share of doubts as well. Right up to thinking that she had married Mic Brumby. 'How could I be so stupid? I let my own doubts and fear cloud my good judgment.'
"Sarah... may I call you Sarah?"
Mac smiled, "Yes, only if I get to call you AJ."
AJ laughed, "Please do. I could think of a few things to call myself. Stupid, blind, and a real ass."
"No more than I was, AJ."
"Sarah, I have been in love with you for a long time. Duty and my own doubts and fears have kept me from telling you a long time ago. Please tell me that I am not too late to win you? I would do anything to be given the chance to have you. I walked away from JAG and sold my home. I want to be where you are. I know I took a big risk doing that, especially not knowing how you feel about me, but you are worth it. I would do it all again."
Mac's finger traced a pattern on the back of his hand. "What do you want to do AJ?"
"Well darlin' right now I want to take you back to the hotel and make love to you. However, if you want to wait."
"Wait?" She quirked a sly smile at him. "Wait, Admiral? I don't know if we can get out of the restaurant without me making a fool out of myself."
He stood. "Well, Webb has already taken care of the tab. He probably got off damn lucky. You would normally order desert."
"Oh I'll get desert, AJ." She said boldly.
He hadn't blushed like this since he was in high school. "Colonel Mackenzie!"
"Admiral Chegwidden." She winked and turned away. He watched as every man in the restaurant watched her progress out the door. Grinning like a fool, not caring if anyone saw, he quickly followed her. Neither noticed the shocked wide-eyed stare of the man sitting just behind them.
She was standing at the curb. The night breeze played in her hair, just like he wanted to. "Taxi!"
"Anxious?" She grinned. "I think Webb heard you in Alexandria."
Roughly he pulled her to him. "Enough of Webb." Finally, he claimed her lips.
"Hey buddy! Climb in, I haven't had a show since Congressman Tate left town." They climbed into the taxi, but the only show the cabbie got was of Mac resting her head on AJ's chest. "Where to folks?"
"The Willard." They answered in unison and Mac giggled. "Who made your arrangements?"
"Who do you think? Webb is definitely annoying but he can handle an op."
"Can you handle me?" she whispered.
"I'm a former SEAL. I can handle you, darlin'." His fingers were still drawing patterns on her skin.
They walked through the lobby and entered the elevator. Neither was surprised when their fingers both touched fifteen. Neither was surprised when they discovered their rooms were connecting.
Pushing her onto the bed he stood above her, watching her as she arched up to rest her weight about her elbows. "I've loved you for eight years. “
"Really?" She reached out and touched him.
HARM’S APARTMENT
WASHINGTON DC
Harm awoke in a cold sweat. He scanned the room frantically. Realizing that he was alone he took a deep breath to calm himself.
This was the third night in a row he was having dreams that awoke him.
Night One:
Harm:
It'll be okay, Mac. You'll get to see
Chloe again. One day you'll have kids
of your own.
Mac: Not
at this rate... My biological clock is
going off and I keep hitting the snooze button.
Harm: Tell you what. Five years from this moment, if neither one of us is in a relationship, we'll go halves on a kid.
Night Two:
Renee:
Are you in love with her?
Harm: Come on Rene, we fight like cats and dogs.
Now tonight – Night Three
Admiral Chedwigen: What are you willing to do to keep her?
He got out of bed and went in search of a drink of water. He stood in the moonlight and stared at nothing. Bobbie Lathum came to mind.
Bobbi: Women like you, Harm. Mac likes you.
And Rene…
Rene: Harm you called me Mac… is she your dream girl?
He had never answered that question. Why hadn’t he? Then Rene had really got to the meat of the matter and he hadn’t answered that either!
Enough! He had made a mess of things from day one, as for that day on the USS Guadalcanal! It was time to get this UST over and done with!
He Harm, was going after Mac!
~*~*~*~*~
JAG HQ
LATER THAT DAY
“You sent for me, Harm?” Sturgis sauntered into the office.
“Yes.” Harm was packing some files. “I need to be out of office for a while and the Admiral is not back yet…”
“So that makes me JAG.” Sturgis finished.
“Uh huh.” Harm said as he slapped his friend in the shoulder and was out the door.
~*~*~*~*~
ROOM 15
THE WILLARD HOTEL
He was dreaming again. They never made sense anyway, but at least there was a common thread.
Mac: May
I sir?
She
kissed him on the cheek.
Mac: I’ve always wanted to do that.
THEN…
Mac stood at the bedroom door changed her mind and retraced her steps.
Mac: I
think I will take that aspirin.
He had
been fiddling with the bottle - unsuccessfully. She tucked her bag under her arm and reached to assist her
Commanding Officer. Their fingers
interlocked and as they looked up their eyes locked.
Like two
magnets they began to move toward each other.
AJ: This
is wrong.
Mac: Yes Sir
AND YET MORE…
AJ: You
have something else, Major?
Mac: No,
Sir. I thought maybe you'd want someone to talk to.
AJ:
What, precisely, would we talk about?
Mac: May
I speak frankly, Sir?
Mac:
Well, I know this is difficult for you. And I thought maybe a friendly shoulder
to cry on? This isn't going well, is it?
AJ: You
have a gift for the understatement, Major.
Mac:
Just forget about this?
AJ: Already have. Close the hatch on your way out.
(Mac leaves)
AJ: (to himself): Thanks, Sarah.
AND THAT TIME IN THE KITCHEN…
Mac was digging deep into one of the cupboards when he JAG walked in.
AJ:
Looking for something Colonel?
Mac: A…
Yes sir something with enough sugar to put me in coma.
AJ:
Problems?
Mac: The
Commander.
AJ: Rabb
or Brumby.
Mac:
Both.
AJ: Anything I can help with?
Mac: No
you are one of them.
AJ:
Sorry?
Mac: Did I say that? Can we forget I said that?
She began to leave but spotted the box of doughnuts in his hand. Without thinking she reached over and took one. Then reached and took a second. AJ just watched her amused.
He moaned her name softly… Mac.
~*~*~*~*~
ROOM 15
THE WILLARD HOTEL
Even as she dreamed yet again of her former CO, Mac moaned his name in her sleep.
Mac sat up bolt upright in bed, wet from sweating and from other things. What was she doing! This was not the kind of dreams one was supposed to be having when one slept alone – Damnit!
She felt a presence next to her and turned. No it hadn’t been a dream. There next to her lay all the man she had ever wanted.
THE WILLARD
0530
Mac's eyes rested on his sleeping face. How was it possible he was even more appealing asleep? The dark eyes that flashed with so much emotion were closed. The downward sweep of lashes and still eyebrows made him seem vulnerable. His mouth was parted slightly. The memory of earlier, made her shift restlessly.
They'd spent three weeks in London getting to know each other, in and out of the bedroom. Her smile was lightening bright in the dim room, remembering that it had been mostly in the bedroom. The only time they'd been apart was when she was required to be at the embassy. They'd gone out infrequently, preferring to order food in and talk. In the tiny one bedroom apartment she'd leased, they'd explored each other's bodies and minds, forging a bond that was proving difficult to break.
When she'd put him on a plane to return to the states, she'd put her heart on it also. She'd ached for him in a way she'd not thought possible and when he'd called that evening to let her know he'd arrived home safely, she'd wept. The SECNAV's offer was one that he couldn't refuse and she knew they'd have some decisions to make soon. His new posting would take him out of JAG, but keep him in Washington. Her posting in London would last at least another year. Once over, she could write her own ticket and the number of plum assignments that would be waiting for her should make her salivate with anticipation.
She watched him sigh in his sleep and knew she'd turned a corner in her life. The only thing that made her salivate with anticipation was the magnificent man that lay beside her. She touched his cheek, wondering how he'd managed to surprise her, when she'd only arrived stateside yesterday afternoon. While the selection for his replacement was being made, he was still the JAG; but, in reality, Harm had been acting as the JAG more and more often as AJ attended meetings regarding his own promotion, including the one that had taken him to California for a week.
After their last phone call, she'd asked for, and received, permission for a four-day leave. Taking the next available flight had put her in Washington a day before he was scheduled to return. She'd hoped to spend today shopping for something spectacularly provocative and show up on his doorstep that evening with the express purpose of spending three days making love. A small oasis of time to sustain them until they could meet again.
Instead, when he hadn't been able to reach her at the embassy, he'd discovered her itinerary from one of the secretaries she was friendly with and had shown up at the Willard, surprising her in the middle of the night. The old t-shirt she'd wore apparently had been provocative enough and, remembering the frenzy with which they'd fallen on each other, she shuddered.
THE WILLARD
0545
Harm strolled through the lobby slowly, getting his story straight before he approached the front desk. The early hour meant the spacious entry was almost deserted and his appearance had not gone unnoticed. Pasting a smile on his face, he called upon all his experience to appear calm, in control, and charming.
"May I help you, Sir?"
"Yes please. I'm looking for Sarah Mackenzie's room please."
Aware that stalkers came in even the most impressive packages, the clerk eyed him suspiciously. "Is she expecting you, Sir?"
Harm dipped his head, letting a shy smile cross his face, "Not really." He saw her key up some information on the computer, and remembering a hotelier he'd once dated, he kept talking. "She arrived from London yesterday while I was out of town. I came back earlier than I expected, and...." Clinching the deal, he drew forth a small, black velvet box from his leather jacket. "I was kind of hoping to surprise her instead."
The young clerk felt her heart melt at the sight of the box and the hope in the man's eyes. His story had seemed plausible. Ms. Mackenzie HAD arrived from the airport yesterday, her address and information listed London as her home address. "I could ring her room for you...."
Harm's voice was wickedly soft, "Please. I was hoping to wake her myself."
"Oh!" She blushed, and made a decision she hoped she wouldn't regret. Slipping him the key card, she told him the room number.
"Thank you!" Harm said, sprinting for the elevator.
The ride up was short, but he had worked out his plan from the moment he'd found out from the embassy she was in Washington. He was puzzled about why she'd contacted no one about her arrival, but figured he'd asked her after the ring was on her finger, and he'd had a chance to finally make love to her. The hallway was deserted, most of the patrons either sleeping or just waking for the day. The thick carpeting muffled his steps and the key card slid into the door just as soundlessly.
He closed the door behind him, preparing to creep through the shadowy room to join her in the bed. His blood froze realizing someone had beaten him to it. The entwined couple was unaware of his presence, and he stood silently in shock, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Harm watched, open mouthed with shock, thankful for the shadows that hid him. Forgetting the card, he surged to his feet, escaping. As he closed the door quietly behind him, he heard Mac cry out her love for `AJ' in a voice close to a sob, heard the answering growl of completion, of love, by the man who'd beat him to Sarah Mackenzie's heart.
0900 EDT
THE WILLARD
WASHINGTON, DC
AJ Chegwidden lay in bed and listened to the shower running. He smiled. He was exhausted from the cross-country flight, and from making love to Mac all night long, but he still couldn't get enough of her. God, she was magnificent.
AJ grinned as he heard the beginning of a song echo from the bathroom. He chuckled. He never would've guessed his Marine liked to sing in the shower.
Standing, he made his way to the bathroom and opened the door.
"In a way I know--Oh, good morning, AJ!" Mac pulled aside the curtain and smiled beckoningly at AJ.
"Good morning, darlin'." AJ walked over and pulled Mac into his arms. Kissing her neck, he asked, "Did you sleep well?"
"Very well; especially with you next to me." Mac twined her arms around AJ's neck, pulling him down for a long, steamy kiss. "Shower with me?"
AJ grinned. "Why do you think I came in here in the first place?"
"Well, you never know..." Mac purred.
"Oh, I always know."
"Really? What do you know, AJ?"
"I know..." he splayed his hand on the small of her back, "that you are..." he kissed her "the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." AJ pulled back to look into Mac's big brown eyes. "And I'm glad that you're mine."
Mac felt her heart melt at the soft admission. "And I'm glad that you're mine," she replied.
AJ pressed another soft kiss on the top of Mac's head, then picked up the bar of soap. "Now, my love," he said, grinning wickedly, "let's get you cleaned up."
It was a while before they left the bathroom.
1130 EDT
THE WILLARD
WASHINGTON, DC
Mac had finished packing what few things she had brought, and was ready to check out. She placed her suitcase by the door. As she did, she spotted an object on the floor. She picked it up and frowned. It was a keycard.
"AJ?" she asked.
"Yes, darlin'?"
"Did the clerk give you a spare keycard when you got here?"
AJ shook his head. "No. I didn't ask for one. Why?"
Mac bit her lip. She shook her head and said, "It's probably nothing. Are you ready to go?"
"Mmm, yes. I want you in my bed tonight, Colonel Mackenzie," AJ whispered in Mac's ear.
Mac shivered at the timbre of his voice. "Well, let's go then," she replied, smiling.
AJ picked up her suitcase, and the two left the room. They made their way to the front desk.
"Good morning, ma'am, sir," the desk clerk chirped. "How can I help you today? Are you ready to check out?"
"Yes. Oh, and I found this in my room," Mac said, handing the clerk the keycard.
"Okay. Thank you for returning it. Name, please?"
"Sarah Mackenzie."
"All right." The clerk typed in the name. "Oh, and congratulations, ma'am!" She beamed at Mac.
Mac's brow furrowed in confusion. "Congratulations? For what?"
"Your boyfriend--well, fiancé, I would suppose now--stopped by earlier, didn't he? Around five-thirty, quarter of six, I think it was. Was it a good surprise?"
Mac blinked. What in the world was the girl talking about? Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "This man. Was he about five-foot-ten, brown hair, green eyes, smirks a lot?"
The clerk's face mirrored Mac's confusion. "No, ma'am. He was really tall--over six feet--with black hair and blue eyes. He had a really nice smile."
Mac's heart dropped into her stomach. "Was... was he wearing a black leather jacket, with gold wings?" 'Please no, please no..."
"Yes, I believe so. Ma'am, is something wrong?"
"Oh, God," Mac whispered in horror.
AJ was swiftly by Mac's side. "Mac? What's wrong?"
"Harm. AJ, I think he saw us..."
"Saw us...?" AJ saw the look on Mac's face and realized what Harm had seen. "Oh, God," AJ groaned.
"AJ, I need to talk to him," Mac said agitatedly.
"All right, Mac. It's okay. Check out, and we'll go to Rabb's place."
1400 EDT
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTON, DC
Harmon Rabb sat on his couch, holding his guitar. Whenever he had problems, he liked to play his guitar--it was rather therapeutic. However, today he was too shocked to do much more than sit there.
When he had left the hotel, the image of Mac and the Admiral still burned into his brain, he had gotten into his car and gone for a long drive. He was fortunate that he hadn't been stopped by a policeman--he had been going at least ninety once he hit the Beltway.
He still couldn't believe what he had seen. It was embarrassing enough to walk in on... that, but ten times worse when it was the woman you loved with your commanding officer! Not just embarrassing--humiliating.
He had asked her to wait as long as he needed. She must have known that he loved her. Why couldn't she have waited for him? They had been through so much together. From the jungles of Colombia, to the desert of Afghanistan--and beyond.
Had they been together when she was still at JAG? Was their relationship the reason Mac had transferred; why the Admiral hadn't married Meredith? God, he hoped not. He might be angry, confused, hurt--but he didn't want to have to prosecute either of them. He felt resentful at the moment, but he wasn't vindictive.
A knock at the door startled Harm out of his reverie. He stood, walked to the door, and peered through the spy hole. Mac? He really didn't need to talk to her right now. He opened the door.
"Mac, I--"
"Harm, we need to talk." Okay, apparently she didn't agree with him.
Harm stepped aside to let Mac pass. "Would you like something to drink?" he asked stiffly.
"No, thanks. Where were you this morning, Harm?" Mac asked, getting straight to the point.
"I woke up--here, in case you're wondering--I went for a drive, I came back. Why?"
"Oh? You didn't make any side stops on your little... drive?"
"Why?"
"Harm, don't screw around with me--"
"I'm not 'screwing around' with you, Mac. But someone else is, isn't he?" Harm said snidely.
"Excuse me, Commander? You'd better watch your tone of voice."
"Don't take that 'high-and-mighty' tone with me, Colonel. You want to know where I went today? I went to the Willard. I asked the clerk for your room number. When she found out that I intended to propose to you, she gave me the number and a keycard. I went up to your floor, I opened your door, and I saw something I never expected. I'm probably gonna need therapy after this."
"Harm, you've needed therapy for a long time." Mac paused. "Wait... you were going to propose to me?"
"That's what I said, isn't it?" Harm disappeared into his bedroom. He came out carrying a small black velvet box. "Mac, I love you. I know I haven't told you before now, but I do. I've loved you for a long time. I don't think I could bear losing you again."
Seeing the pain that the man before her was in, Mac's anger ebbed away. "Oh, Harm," she whispered. "I'm so sorry." She sat down on nearby stool. Taking a deep breath, she started, "Harm, I love you. But only as a friend. A very good friend, but only a friend, nonetheless. We've been through so much together, Harm... too much." She paused. "Harm, if you had said something two years ago, I would've been ecstatic. I was in love with you once, Harm. I would've given up anything to be with you. But that time's passed. I'm in love with a man who's in an emotional position to love me back."
"What about your professional positions, Mac? You don't mean to tell me that you weren't involved when you were in JAG, do you?"
Mac fought down a flare of irritation. "In fact, I do mean to tell you that. AJ and I," Harm flinched at the casual use of the Admiral's given name, "have only been together since the beginning of July. And even that almost didn't happen," Mac said softly.
"Come on, Mac. You must know that even if that were true, this isn't going to be easily accepted by the powers that be."
"It *is* true, Harm. And we know that. But we love each other, and we can weather the storm together."
Harm turned away to stare out the window. "Why couldn't you have waited? I asked you to."
"Harm, I did wait. For nearly seven years. But I could only subjugate my happiness for so long," Mac said softly. "I'm sorry for hurting you, Harm. I never wanted to hurt you. But I'm happy now, and I'm not giving that up."
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Then Harm said, "Mac... I'm sorry, too. I should've said something earlier, I know. You deserve better than someone who can't commit for so long."
"Harm, no, that's not it at all."
"Isn't it?" He turned to face her. "I waited too long. The Admiral knew what he wanted, and he went after it. No waffling, no avoidance. He won, and I lost."
"I'm not some trophy to be won, Harm. And I don't appreciate being treated like one."
Harm winced. "I know, Mac. Believe me, I know. The infamous Rabb foot-in-mouth gene strikes again. That's not what I meant. I meant... well, that he gets a wonderful woman's love, and I get... an empty apartment."
He laughed, but it was devoid of emotion. "Go on, Mac. You're only in town for a few days. You should be spending your time with," here his voice broke, "the man you love."
"Harm, are you going to be all right?" Mac asked concernedly.
"I'll be fine, Mac. I just need some time." He smiled sadly. "And Mac? Don't ask me to walk you down the aisle."
"We haven't even talked about marriage, Harm."
Harm looked at Mac intensely. In a low voice, he said, "Sarah... if AJ Chegwidden doesn't want you for his wife, he's more of a fool than I am." He held the stare for a moment, then turned away. "Go. He's waiting for you."
"I'll call you, Harm."
"Sure."
And with that, Mac left, leaving Harm more confused than ever.
AJ was waiting in the car for her just as he said he would be, "He really intended on proposing to me, can you believe that?" she asked when she got in.
"Yes, I can, Sarah. Any man would be blessed to have you as his wife. Maybe Rabb has finally come to his senses. What did you say to him?"
"I told him that I would always consider him one of my very best friends but that that was all it could ever be between us now. I have you in my life, AJ and I won't give that up for anything."
"Let's go home darlin', there is something that we need to talk about."
"That sounds ominous."
"No, just something that I would like to devote my full attention to. Not something I want to discuss while driving."
A SHORT TIME LATER AT AJ'S HOUSE
"What did you want to talk about AJ?" Mac asked almost before they were through the door to his house.
"Come in and sit down, Sarah. I need to get something from the other room," he turned and went into his bedroom, coming back within a few minutes with a large box in his hands. "I hope this it right, darlin'," he said as he put the box down in front of her.
Mac looked at the box in front of her and a chill went down her spine. She thought of her dream of the bridal shop and AJ seeing her in the dress from the magazine. The box had Rebecca's Boutique's logo on it. Slowly she reached out and opened it. There inside was the dress from her dream, the dress from the magazine that Meredith had brought over one night. The dress was champagne colored satin and lace, with embroidered beadwork on the front, the back plunged to the waist line and the skirt and train of the dress must have had twelve yards of fabric in them! Mac remembered how she had envisioned in this wedding gown, and her fantasy had led her even farther. She saw herself walking up the aisle with AJ waiting there for her in his dress whites.
Her eyes flew to AJ's, pleading for an explanation.
"I remembered us looking at that dress from Meredith's magazine, and then one night I had this vivid dream. You were in this bridal store with her and you had tried on this dress. In the dream I walked in and saw you, I had to buy it for you Sarah. Will you wear it for me?" AJ gently got on one knee. "Please say that you will be mine. Marry me, Sarah."
Throwing herself into his arms, she gasped, "Yes, oh AJ, yes!" she was about to kiss him, when she paused and told him, "You better pinch me! I want to be sure that this is NOT a dream!"
AJ roared with laughter, "It is a dream, Sarah, a dream come true!"
Sarah reached over and took AJ's face in her hands and brought her lips to his for a passionate kiss. She pulled back and smiled. "AJ, everything is so perfect. I never thought I could be this happy. All my dreams are coming true, too. I love you so much."
AJ smiled and kissed Sarah again. "There is one thing missing, darlin."
"What is it, AJ?"
"This” AJ reached into his pocket and pulled a small velvet box out. He gently opened the box to reveal a diamond ring. A beautiful ring. Sarah's eyes grew in surprise and delight. AJ gently slid the finger onto her hand. He held onto her hand as she brought the ring closer to see it better. There was a beautiful cut diamond in the center with one green stones on either side of the diamond.
Mac's eyes were glistening as she was trying to fight back tears. "AJ, it is beautiful. I have never seen anything more beautiful."
AJ looked up into Mac's eyes. "I have."
Mac smiled and pulled AJ closer. "Come here, Sailor” AJ moved closer to Sarah and began to kiss her. "Let me love you, Sarah. Be patient, darlin."
AJ’s PLACE
Mac took a long look at the man she was determined to marry and sighed. As a human and as a US Marine there was one thing she had to do; she turned and walked out the door.
There was no way around it.
~*~*~*~*~
ONE HOUR TWENTY THREE MINUTES LATER
Mac was on a mission and would not be deterred from it. The sports car she was driving zipped along. She knew the route in her sleep and even after all this time there was no need to verify the way with a map.
She pulled into the drive way as if she owned the place. Still oozing confidence she headed for the front door and rang the doorbell. As she waited for the call to be answered then and only then did she break out into a cold sweat of doubt. Maybe this was wrong.... too late the door opened.
The two women faced each other - it had been a long time. May be too long. In silence the woman opened the door further, turned and walked back the way she had come. Mac followed.
"What do you want, Mac?" she asked with out looking up. She wrapped a glass and placed it in a box, then reached for another.
Mac felt like one of Meredith’s students. "To be friends."
The glass fell and broke. "Friends?"
Mac summoned her courage. "Merited, you and I were friends. I don't want AJ to come between us."
Meredith stopped what she was doing "But he did."
Mac was losing the case. "Is there no hope?"
"There is always hope."
The state of room finally registered. "You are packing?"
The scholar only smiled.
Mac pressed on. "Where are you going?"
"Would you believe? Stratford-Upon-Avon?" She grinned. Her first since Mac had arrived.
Mac found herself floundering. She wanted make peace with her friend but didn't know how.
Meredith offered the olive branch. Without warning she opened her arms. Aut9matically Mac moved in and the two hugged. Mac sobbed with relief.
"There, there...” The older woman soothed.
"Meredith..." It was not often that Mac found herself at a loss for words.
"Sit." Meredith ordered. "Sorry..." there was nowhere to sit.
"When do you leave?"
"In two days."
Mac gave the room a skeptical look and raised an eyebrow. "When?"
"I know, I know." She chuckled.
"Need help?" Mac found herself offering.
Meredith accepted. Mac spent the weekend helping her friend pack. They forged a new bond and never once mentioned the man who had strained the bond in the first place.
~*~*~*~*~
You have to understand that Puck was not of this time frame. It is with great concentration for some of us to understand the English of the fifteenth century. So it was for Puck to follow the English of the twentieth century.
And so it is the saga did end, me thinks it doth end for...
Mac became The Inspector General
AJ became Dog Robber to SECNAV
Sturgis became The JAG
Harm found Glenn Millar and no one found Harm
Puck stared at the drama that had unfolded. A myriad of thoughts and emotions played across his face.
Confusion
Frustration
Amusement
Finally, understanding.
But!
As no minds ever think alike Puck's understanding was not that of yours or mine.
He shrugged in resignation, turned to me and pronounced...
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is
mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream...
JACKSON AUDITORIUM
"Isn't this fabulous!"
AJ pulled himself out of his stupor with difficulty. He patted Meredith's hand, thankful for the dark that hid his distaste, "It's something."
The students on stage sat in a semi-circle, wrapping up what used to be one of his favorites of Shakespeare's works in a complete monotone. From start to, thank God, finish the voices had droned on and on and he was finding it increasingly difficult not to jump up and yell, just to see if the audience was still awake.
He shifted in his seat and rapidly calculated how much longer the torture would last. Tonight was almost over, but tomorrow night it would be King Lear on roller blades. He closed his eyes as if in pain, wondering if that could be any worse than last nights Othello done by a group of college age, wanna be, mimes. Damn Meredith's brilliant end of the year project idea. Having her students give unusual interpretations of the great man's works might well be having them absorb the text in new ways, but it was killing him. He sighed with relief, hearing the play wrapping up, knowing there'd only be Meredith's quick meeting with the `actors' to sit through.
He smiled absently when she rose to go to her students, his mind falling back into the daydream, hallucination, he'd escaped into. Very real. He shifted, feeling the semi-engorged flesh between his legs twitch. Too real. Mac. What the hell was that about moving to London. She was firmly settled at JAGops for the time being. And, he and Meredith weren't having an elaborate wedding. He'd put his foot down about that from the start. Besides, why would Meredith pick her as a bridesmaid? She barely knew Mac having met her just a few times before they'd started dating. Brumby? Harm? Sex in London and at the Willard? Unbelievably hot, `I can't believe I wanted to and she let me do that to her' sex.
He ran his hand down his face, sighing heavily. Most disturbing of all was there was a thread of truth running through the whole scenario. He was attracted to Mac. Very attracted. Too much so to go into a marriage with another woman while he had unresolved feelings for another. One divorce per lifetime was enough for him. What to do though?
MAC'S APARTMENT
Mac shook herself to clear the cobwebs. Flipping off the TV, she gathered the empty ice cream dish and her glass from the coffee table. "Well, that was certainly not as interesting as I thought it would be."
Finishing her work early, she'd flipped through the channels, coming upon a Shakespearian revival on an obscure educational channel she never watched. She was getting ready to turn to the pay-per-view movies when the sound of the Admiral's voice, reading that bit of Shakespeare to her long ago in his office, drifted through her mind. Deciding to see what all the fuss was about, she'd settled down to watch A Midsummer Night's Dream.
She rinsed her dishes, putting them in the dishwasher, finally coming to the conclusion that unless she was lucky enough to hear the Admiral's rich voice delivering the lines, then she'd stick with HBO. Evening chores finished, she walked around the apartment restlessly. She wasn't the least bit sleepy. The nap she'd had during the second act had proved to be very refreshing.
She blew out the candles on the mantle, blushing hotly and suddenly groaning, remembering parts of the dream she'd had. The blush because of the memory of the Admiral's head busy between her thighs, the groan at the thought of Harm watching them. Dropping back onto the couch, she hugged a throw pillow, wondering where those thoughts had come from. She knew part of it had to do with the lead actor's nasal voice. Right before dropping off, she'd thought how much better the play would sound if the Admiral was doing the acting. Hence, she'd been thinking about him when she dropped off.
Thinking about him was right. The dream had been one long obsession about a man she'd never really considered attainable. Would she really be THAT unhappy about being posted somewhere other than Washington, because she couldn't see him? Could her casual, `Oh, they're getting married? Bully for them, now leave me alone' attitude be stemming from the fact that she was wildly jealous of Meredith snagging him? Was she seriously still holding out for a proposal from Harm or did she only imagine that part of the dream because she WANTED him to see she was capable of moving on, of having a life, that didn't include him.
Did she really, subconsciously, wish that life she lived out of the Harmisphere could include the man who was commanding officer? She wouldn't deny she was curious about him. He was a private man, possessing layer upon layer of quirks and personality traits that he never revealed to the JAGops staff. She snickered, thinking they were the type of layers that just begged a woman to peel them away, revealing the true man underneath.
Sighing, she rose, locking the door for the night. Dreams and wishes aside, AJ Chegwidden was her CO, and he was engaged to another woman. Next time she'd watch Shrek.
JACKSON AUDITORIUM
AJ stared at the stage. He wasn't watching the crew breakdown the set. There had been no set, and the actors had stacked up their chairs neatly before taking their bows. His mind was on two women and fact he should have never stopped keeping company with his hand. He was not cut out for heartfelt, emotional revelations. Or, the scenes that accompanied them.
"Oh! AJ! Didn't they do a fantastic job?! I've never experienced it that way before."
"Neither have I," AJ said dryly. He pulled the seat beside him down, patting it slowly. "Have a seat Meredith. We need to talk."
The
End!