TITLE: It Doesn't Compute
AUTHOR: Clairisant and Brenda
CLASSIFICATION: AJ/OtherRATING: If chapters are other than G they will be listed at the top of each chapter.
FEEDBACK: Would love to hear both good and bad feedback but please try to be kind and constructive. Clairisant and brendagaye42210
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is an alternate reality story in which AJ and Marcella had a son rather than a daughter. We are not judging here, but feel that AJ would have remained more in contact with a son so he had regular visitations of a divorced parent when his deployment and SEAL missions would allow. When his son turned eighteen the visits stopped for a few years while he 'found' himself and then resumed when he was twenty-one. AJ's son had decided to join the Navy and become a SEAL like his father. Since he had dual citizenship, this was not a problem, although his mother and stepfather disapproved. Known as Frank Chegwidden in the US and as Franco Paretti in Italy, after joining the Navy he only used his Italian ID when he was visiting his mother.
CREDITS: A special thanks to our beta readers, Qupeydoll and Shaz.
Prolog
"Dad, I have met the most incredible woman!" his son Frank told AJ Chegwidden during one of their weekly calls.
"That's great, son, do you think it might become serious?" AJ asked his thirty-three year old son.
"That is my problem, dad! I love her and want more than anything to ask her to marry me, but how do I justify that with the job that I have? I mean, you know how dangerous what I do is, and there is a chance that any mission I am on could be my last. How can I ask her to take that risk?"
"Frank, if she loves you as much as you love her, then that risk becomes less important than the time that the two of you will have together. No one knows how much time they have and it's a shame to waste any of it."
"Thanks, dad, that means a lot!"
"When will I have a chance to meet this girl?" AJ asked with a smile. It sounded like his son was very happy and he wanted to meet the lady that had captured his heart.
"I plan on proposing as soon as I get back from this next mission and if she says yes, and I'm sure she will, then we will visit as soon as we can."
"Wonderful, Frank, I look forward to seeing you and your lady soon."
AJ was used to not having contact with his son when he was on missions, so was not surprised when he did not hear from him for the next few weeks. However, a month after the last call from Frank a Navy Chaplain and Frank's CO were shown into his office by Petty Officer Coates. AJ's heart sank. Standing to greet both men with a handshake, AJ already knew why they were in his office. He had performed the same solemn duty way to many times. But this was the first time AJ had ever been on the receiving end.
"I'm sorry to inform you that your son did not return from his last mission, Admiral," Frank's CO informed AJ as he handed him a letter from Frank. AJ knew it was a final letter to family and loved ones written by the men before each mission in case they didn't return. A much younger AJ had started the tradition when he had been a SEAL. He had written many such letters, but never thought he would be receiving one from his son.
"Didn't return? You mean he was left behind?" AJ demanded, holding the letter without opening it.
"No, Sir, his team was ambushed and the three that could move carried out the injured, it was all they could do. As it was the three that they carried out died on route home. I'm sorry, Sir."
"I don't believe that Frank is dead, Captain, and I won't until I have a body to bury. Tell me where to go looking for him so I can bring my son home," AJ demanded.
"I'm sorry, Sir, you know I can't do that. His mission was classified and I cannot give you that information."
"Never mind, Captain, I have my ways of finding out. Has his mother been informed?"
"Yes, someone should be contacting her right about now," the Chaplain told AJ. "If there is anything I can do for you, Sir, please let me know."
"There's not, but thank you for the offer."
Minutes after they had left PO Coates announced that he had a call from Italy. AJ knew it would be Marcella.
"Alberto! Our baby is dead!" were the first words he heard after picking up the phone.
Several thoughts ran through his mind, the top most being that at thirty-three, Frank was hardly a baby, but all he said was, "Marcella, calm down, I don't believe that Frank is dead."
"How can you say that? The Navy men came by and told us he was! They said he died serving his country, but I told them that if he had not been in the US Navy he would still be alive! We will be having a memorial service for him as soon as you can get here, Alberto. Please tell me when you will arrive."
"I won't be coming, Marcella, because I am going looking for him. Until I see his body, I refuse to believe he is dead."
"Oh you! Always this mystery and code things! Then we will have the service without you! How will it look if his father is not there?"
"Marcella, no one in Italy knows me, so I won't be missed."
"Fine, Alberto!" she snapped and hung up.
AJ knew his son wasn't dead, he would somehow feel it if he were. Going to Clayton Webb he talked him into getting the information he needed on the whereabouts of his son. Then he went to the SECNAV to get the time off to go looking for him. He left immediately for Iraq. After two grueling weeks, he returned to JAG ten pounds lighter, and without his son. He still refused to believe Frank was dead, AJ believed one day he would be found.
To be continued…..