Fanfic #1

Right Where I Need To Be

Author: Ren

Rating: PG

Type: AJ/Other

Spoilers: none

Disclaimer: The show JAG and its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount Network TV, CBS and Viacom INC.  The song Right Where I Need To Be was written by Casey Beathard and Kendell Marvel.  It is sung by Gary Allen, and can be found on his CD Smoke Rings in the Dark.  The use of the before mentioned, is for entertainment purposes only.  No infringement of any copyrights is intended.

 

 

 

 

1730 Hours

JAG Headquarters

McLean, VA

 

AJ escorted the Secnav to the elevator smiling and nodding his head as if he was engrossed in the conversation.  While the elevator door opened and closed several times, the Secnav stood talking.  Their meeting had all ready gone longer than anticipated, and AJ wondered if he would ever shut up. 

 

Finally, in an attempt to get rid of him, AJ spoke, “Mr. Secretary, didn’t you say you had a dinner meeting at six thirty?  It will take a miracle to get across town in this traffic, sir.  Are you going to have enough time?”

 

“You’re trying to get rid of me, AJ,” the Secnav stated.

 

“Yes, sir, I am,” he said confidently.  “Mr. Secretary, sir, I just don’t want you to be late.  You’re meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld, correct, sir?” AJ replied, his arms crossed in front of him, and his head cocked slightly to the side.  He knew the Secnav would not want to be late for this meeting.

 

“You are correct, AJ.  I’ll be waiting to hear from you regarding this weekends retreat.  Go, AJ, your legal point of view is needed.”

 

AJ watched the elevator door close, and then rolled his eyes.  He did not want to go to this “retreat”.  He threw his arms down, and headed back to his office. 

 

This weekend senior officers from the different fleets were going to gather in San Diego to discuss the Navy’s recent problems and to “regroup”.  An attempt to keep the Navy in full control of all situations, AJ balked at the idea.  The word retreat itself turned him off.  “Sounds like we’re running!” he exclaimed to himself.

 

AJ could see Tiner waiting for him, and he hoped it wasn’t urgent.  He had spent the

past four weekends away from home, and wanted at least an hour there before his flight.  

 

“Admiral, Commander Chegwidden dropped off your SUV.  Here are the keys, sir.  She said it has a full tank of gas.  Oh, and sir, here is your flight information.  I called ahead to arrange a ride from the airport.  Someone from JAG will pick you up,” Tiner said, handing AJ his keys and papers.

 

“She was here already?” he said disappointed.

 

“Yes, sir.  She thought she could catch you, but your meeting ran long, and the Commander had to get back to the Pentagon for her meeting.  Plus, she had to drop her father off.”

 

“Ahh, yes, I know.  Did she happen to tell you what was wrong with her car?” AJ inquired, even though it was not a top priority.

 

“No, sir,” Tiner told him.

 

“That will be all,” AJ said sullenly as he went into his office.

 

 

It had been six weeks since AJ surprised everyone by getting married.

 

One Friday during the morning briefing, he had casually invited everyone to a Saturday afternoon barbeque at his house.  “Nothing special,” he had called it.  Playing the whole event down.  He had met this fiery, red headed Commander with large, blue eyes in the Secnav’s office.  For months the two of them dated secretly, and AJ only wanted to introduce Commander Krista McPhail to them. 

 

The whole surprise wedding idea had come from her.  Krista was a big fan of country music, which he sometimes did not mind listening to anymore.  Once she told him how Faith Hill and Tim McGraw invited all their friends and family over for a picnic only to surprise them by getting married.

 

Even though she had never been married, Kris was certain a big church wedding was not to her taste.  AJ did not care.  He was smitten.  He would have been perfectly happy with a big formal wedding.  When she told him she wanted to have it outdoors, he suggested a “Faith and Tim” wedding.

 

That Saturday friends, family and co-workers came to AJ’s house expecting a big barbeque.  Upon arrival, they found out that they were all going to be witnesses to their marriage.  No one had any clue it would be a wedding, not even her father who cried when AJ formally ask for her hand.

 

There was not time for a proper honeymoon.  However, AJ thought he would have had more time to spend with her.  Instead their schedules kept getting in the way.  They had the weekend they married, but then she was gone the next.  After that, AJ had been constantly on the go.  This weekend was suppose to be theirs, no distractions…

 

 

1800 hours

 

AJ picked up his briefcase, making sure he had his flight information, and headed for the elevator.  Luckily, his flight was scheduled later than anticipated.  This gave him more time to spend with his wife. 

 

AJ sighed deeply as he stepped outside.  The scarlet colored sun was slowly slipping into the horizon.  He put on his sunglasses, and jumped in the SUV.

 

“She washed it,” he mumbled out loud.  “And put the seat back, too,” he said smiling.  It was these little things that made all the difference to him.  

 

As he past the Marine Guard, AJ called Kris on his cell phone.

 

“Commander Chegwidden, please,” he told the petty officer as he smiled, thinking about the words he just spoke.  “It’s been a long time since there was a Commander Chegwidden,” he laughed to himself.

 

“I’m sorry, sir.  She is in a meeting.  May I take a message?” replied the ensign.

 

“Yes, this is Admiral Chegwidden.  Tell her I have extra time before my flight.  Oh, do you know what time she’s expected to be finished?” AJ asked, wondering about dinner. 

 

Krista loved to cook for him.  She had been stationed in both France and Italy, taking cooking classes in both places.  He was particularly fond of her risotto… she knows numerous variations to the recipe.

 

“Sir, I’m sorry, I don’t.  I will definitely give her the message, Admiral,” the petty office said.

 

“No problem.  Tell her to hurry.  I will have dinner waiting.”

 

*****************

1820 hours

 

AJ stopped at Tony’s Restaurant in Falls Church.  This was the place where they first ate dinner, and Krista loved the pizza.  Tonight he wanted something a little more special, so he ordered two of their grilled chicken and pasta dinners, which include salad and bread.  He added an order of stuffed mushroom caps and an order of calamari making a complete meal.  He told the waiter to have it delivered in an hour giving Krista enough time to get home.

 

Back in the SUV, AJ headed for home.  The traffic, heavier than usual, was crawling along.  He wondered if there was an accident.  AJ hoped not.  He wanted to stop and get wine, leaving himself with enough time to take a quick shower. 

 

The sun had all but disappeared now, and the cool air felt great.  AJ relaxed back in the seat.  His curiosity was getting the best of him, so he turned on the radio.  Country music filled the car, and AJ shook his head.  It brought to mind the time they argued over the station.  It happened shortly after he had proposed.  She insisted that as his wife she would be allowed one pre-set station in his car.  He did not have a problem with that.  He just wanted to be able to pick the station.

 

AJ was about to change the station when his cell phone rang.  “Chegwidden!” he stated regally.

 

“Hey there, sailor!” Krista replied.

 

“You better be on your way home!” AJ teased.

 

“Actually…”

 

“No, no.  I don’t want to hear any actually’s,” he said irritated.  At that moment he knew she would not be home before he left.

 

“Sorry, honey.  This meeting is running long.  How much extra time do you have?  I’d like to see my husband for a change, even if it is only briefly,” Kris told him.

 

“Hmmm, my flight leaves at 2045.  Do you think you can be home by oh, say 1845 hours?” AJ said laughing.

 

“And just how, Admiral, do you think I’ll do that?  Maybe I can commandeer a chopper?  Hmmmm?  Admiral, any suggestions?” she said laughing, too.

 

“No!  I can’t believe I am going to miss you, again,” AJ replied sadly.  “You have any leave??  We need to get out of town together!!”

 

“Not any I can use till August,” Kris said, sighing.

 

“I’m pulling in now.  Do your best to get here, please.”

 

“I will, I love you sailor!”

 

“I love you, Bella,” AJ said, hanging up the phone.

 

*****************

1915 hours

Chegwidden Residence

McLean, VA

 

AJ paced back and forth in front of the dinning room table.   He hoped waiting a few extra minutes would be enough time for Kris to get home.  The cab driver stood by the door impatiently tapping his foot and sighing repeatedly.  AJ took a long look at the clock, and decided to drive himself.

 

“Sorry,” he said.  “I’m going to take myself.  Here’s ten bucks for coming out and waiting,” AJ said to the angry man, shoving the money into his hand.

 

He knew he was pushing it, but AJ really wanted to see Kris before he left.  He went back into the bedroom and pulled the blankets back.  He set out the lace trimmed, royal blue nightgown and robe he bought for her in Italy.  AJ went into the bathroom next, and put new towels and her favorite jasmine scented bubble bath on the edge of the tub.  He even went so far as to scatter some off her jasmine scented candles around the room.  The candles drove him nuts, but he wanted her to be able to come home and feel like this was her home.

 

AJ looked at the clock.  It was now 1930.  He quickly wrote Kris a little note, and then reluctantly picked up his luggage.  “We missed each other, again!” he sternly told the empty room, while closing the door.

 

Picking up his cell phone, AJ called Krista’s.  “Maybe she’s on her way,” he thought out loud.  AJ pulled the SUV on to the freeway as her voice mail answered. Disgusted, he flung the phone on the seat next to him.

 

Traffic was still heavy, and he wondered if he would make the flight.  Now he needed to park as well as check in.  AJ sighed and turned on the radio forgetting about the country music.  He rolled his eyes and shook his head while laughing.  There was nothing he could do to convince her to listen to Jazz in the car.

 

“Oh, I like Jazz music,” she told him during one of their “whose music are we listening to” spats.  He enjoyed these little spats.  They were good, old-fashioned horseplay.  Never taken seriously by either one of them.

 

Just as he went to change the station, a song started that he recognized.  AJ decided to listen to it.  He knew it was one of Krista’s favorites, and it provided the right kind of distraction to keep his mind off San Diego.

 

             There’s a plane flyin’ outta here tonight

 Destination New Orleans

             Boss man says my big promotion’s on the line

             He says that’s right where I need to be

 

            Lately I’ve been on the road more than I’ve been home

            All this leavin’ her alone is killin’ me  

            And holdin’ her right now has got me thinkin’ more and more

            This is right where I need to be

 

AJ laughed at the words.  “That’s right where I need to be,” he said to the radio.

 

            Where when I hear her I can see her

            I can smell her sweet perfume

            I can feel her skin against me when I sleep

            Where I won’t miss her I can kiss her

            Anytime that I want to

            Yeah that’s right where I need to be

            Yeah that’s right where I need to be

 

            There’s a plane flyin’ outta here tonight

            With an empty first class seat

            Cause I’ve finally got all my priorities in line

            And I’m right where I need to be

 

AJ thought about Krista as the chorus repeated.  He wanted to see her, and kiss her any time he wanted to.  “Priorities,” he softly said as he exited the freeway.

 

He watched the jets landing as he got closer to the airport.  The traffic going in to Dulles was at a stand still.  AJ picked up the phone to call home.  “I would like to hear her before I get on this plane,” he said.

 

The voice mail picked up, and AJ was about to throw the phone when he thought about the bath he set up for her.  He pictured his beautiful wife, her copper hair all pulled up, sitting in the bubbles with all the candles lit.  He knew she would soon be getting into that nightgown and snuggling into bed.  AJ looked at the phone in his hand, and then at the long line of cars in front of him.

 

“One more phone call,” he thought out loud.

 

*****************

 

0100 hours

San Diego International Airport

 

The young ensign watched the passengers exiting the plane.  He carefully scanned for the Admiral he was there to pick up.  He figured the Judge Advocate General would be highly irate since he missed his first flight.  Suddenly a tall Naval Officer appeared, and the young man was confused.

 

“Sir,” he said.  “I was expecting Admiral Chegwidden.  Is he with you Commander?”

 

“No, there was a change in plans.  I’m Commander Rabb.  I’m taking his place.”

 

“Yes, sir.  May I take your bags?” 

 

 

0100 hours

Chegwidden Residence

McLean, VA

 

AJ pulled his wife close to him.  The jasmine lingered on her skin even after making love twice.

 

“So, exactly what happened, Admiral?” she whispered softly in his ear.

 

“Nothing,” he replied.  “This is just where I need to be…”

 

 

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