Disclaimer: They belong to DPB, CBS and PARAMOUNT.
Thanks to Cassandra30 for betareading.
VisualIdentificationZeta has asked for a sequel for "ONE DAY".
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL
Leaning against the sink in the restroom she looked at her image in the mirror.
Showing her reflection.
That's all a mirror was meant to do, reflect.
The only responsibility in the world is to show us what we choose to see, what we can see. No matter how ugly the scars or how prominent the bruising or how permanent the markings are, we can always look away.
Oh, how she hated what she saw. A single woman in her thirties. Stuck in a life she hated. Sure she loved her job. But she was alone. No significant other. How she wished for someone, for something. Anything.
'Mirror, mirror, on the wall' wasn't going to get her anywhere, this time. Life wasn't a fairytale or maybe a fairytale gone bad.
Happily-ever-after never happend. Not for Loren.
Prince Charming was just a figment of her overactive imagination. Ok, not really. Her Prince Charming existed. A Naval Lawyer by the name Harmon Rabb Junior.
Cupping her face in her palms, Loren cried softly.
It was official: Life sucked.
Yesterday had been one hell of a day. It had been one hell of a lifetime.
Yesterday a letter had arrived in the mail. A wedding-invitation.
Her little sister Joanne was getting married. Loren had to appear at the wedding. Oh, how she hated family-events. Her little sister all happy and smiles. Telling her how wonderful life was – having bridge-parties, going to social events.
And her twin sister Alexia wasn't any better. Alexia was popping out a baby every other year. Loren had already 3 nephews and 2 nieces. And she was sure another one was already on the way.
Now she was hiding out in the restroom.
Lieutenant Sims-Roberts had brought over her child – a boy called A.J, named after Admiral Chegwidden.
Loren wasn't in the mood to see anyone. Especially someone like A.J. Roberts. A child. But she knew that she couldn't hide in here forever. Only as long as the child is in the office, she told herself. Seeing a child made her remember the one she had lost so many years ago.
No! She wouldn't think about her miscarriage. Not today. Not here.
Today she was overemotional. She just would break out in tears. Now that would go well. Lieutenant Witch crying. They would have something to talk about for days, even months.
Staying in the restroom gave her time to restore her thoughts.
Loren felt as if she was invisible. No one cared for her. No one noticed her. She could be dead and no one would miss her.
She was lonely.
She wanted to feel loved. To feel beautiful.
She wanted to come home to a family. Or just to someone who loved her. No, not a pet. A human being.
No. She wouldn't start crying. She would be strong. Slip on the mask she wore. Figurative speaking.
Loren could get emotional at home. A place where no one could observe her emotional break-down. Yes, that was the plan. Making it through today. Falling apart at home. Never at JAG.
JAG was where Lieutenant Singer worked.
Home was where Loren lived.
Two different places – two different personalities.
As always, she pulled herself together quite quickly. She worked hard to pursue her goal, to change, to grow up, to be different. Squaring her shoulders, her head held high, she left the restroom. Time to face the music.
"Hello Lieutenant." Harm greeted her as she walked past him back to her office.
He had noticed her, she thought.
And for today she felt beautiful.
END