AN: I'm getting so very frustrated with the use of phones on JAG episodes. Just when Harm and Mac are about to kiss in the episode "A Tangled Webb, part II, the phone rings! Just when Mac needs to answer Harm's question in "Posse Comitatus"...her phone rings! I'm sick of it, I tell you! So, here's my answer. Short, but hopefully sweet.
AN II: To be honest, I never planned on making a sequel to "Stay away from my man", but with so many of you asking for one, I'm working on it. As well as the next chapters of "Once a Marine".
Spoilers: During "Posse Comitatus".
Disclaimer: I don't own them. If I did, I would ban the use of phones during critical moments at the show. I'm sick of it...I said that already? Right, I did. Oh well...
Here we go...
"What about you? Are you glad to have me back?"
Without a doubt, asking stupid questions is one of my partner's finer qualities, among many others I've noticed during our partnership.
My answer, should I care to give it, shouldn't even be necesarry for him. He should know by now how much I value our relationship. How highly I regard our friendship, our banter, the thrill of every investigation we get sent on. How I admire him for his judgement, his intelligence, his skills...he should now by now.
Of course, there are so many things he should, but obviously doesn't know. About me, us, or even himself.
He should, but doesn't know how much his presence in my life keeps effecting me.
He should, but doesn't know how much I've missed him these past few months
He should, but doesn't know that I cried over him like a lovesick teenager so many times I lost count.
He should, but doesn't know how much I've come to rely on him, so much that I don't care to trust anybody else anymore.
He should, but doesn't know one look can be my downfall, how his smile can pierce through the Marine armor to throw the woman inside off balance, how one touch almost makes me whimper with suppressed desire, how one stolen kiss on the Admiral's porch forever altered my future plans...
He should, but doesn't know...that I'm in love with him.
So yes, I am glad he's back, even though being this close to him again under the circumstances of these months between us is nearly killing me. For it lacks the ease with which we used to face the world together. Butch and Sundance have each chosen a different course and they'll ride off into the sunset in two opposite directions.
I'm glad because ultimately, this job he does so well is what defines him. This is home to him, where he belongs. In the Navy, the uniform, with his wings proudly pinned on his broad chest.
As for me, I'll keep a straight face and ramrod back even if it eventually does kill me. Fingers crossed that the gap between us will be bridged before that time eventually comes. And that someday he shall know.
Right now, he doesn't know a thing. So I'd better answer his question. With the truth, well, half of it.
I look him straight in his azure eyes and smile.
"Yes, Flyboy, I'm glad you're back."
He smiles in return and the first rope for our bridge is being handed to me.
"I'm glad you're glad."
We'll be okay. Butch and Sundance will ride again. Even if, for now, he doesn't know.
THE END