TITLE: Haven For Love
AUTHOR: Clairisant and Brenda
CLASSIFICATION: AJ/Other
RATING: If chapters are over PG 13 they will be listed at the top of the chapter.
FEEDBACK: Would love to hear both good and bad feedback but please try to be kind and constructive. and
CREDITS: A special thanks to our beta readers, Qupeydoll and Patti.
Chapter 1
Saturday, December 4, 2004
0815 EST
Woods outside AJ's home
McLean, Virginia
AJ Chegwidden was taking his normal ten-mile run in the woods behind his home that Saturday morning. His usual companion on these runs had disappeared a few minutes ago after running ahead to check out some sound. AJ was beginning to wonder about her when he heard something that made his heart go still.
A female voice from up ahead just off the trail was saying, "Harm! Stop! When you don't have the ladies permission, its rape!"
Several thoughts ran through AJ's mind as he moved quickly and silently towards where the voice was coming from. 'What is Rabb doing in 'my' woods? What the hell had gotten into him to take an unwilling woman? Didn't he have enough that were willing?' The rest of the thoughts were centered on what he would do to Harm when he got there and if there was anything left of him when he was done, how he would testify in the court-martial of Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.!
Before he could reach the pair, AJ heard the woman speak again, "Get off, you oaf! I'm going to report you, if you don't stop!" Even though her voice was agitated, AJ admired the fact that she could remain calm enough to know she would need to report the rape. Although she would not have to face it alone once he got there.
Just as he came around the last corner he heard her say, "You aren't even using protection!" AJ broke through the last of the trees separating him from the voice he had been hearing. There was the woman standing with her back to him, fully clothed! There was no sigh of a struggle going on, or Commander Rabb. Then he followed the direction of her gaze and saw his dog being mounted by a large black Lab.
"Dammit!" he exclaimed.
At this the woman spun around to face him, and said with a worried frown, "That was my thought too! If that is your dog, I hope she is not a purebred, because I know Harm's not!"
AJ was still trying to recover from the shock of not finding a rape taking place, when the woman in front of him held out her hand and said, "I'm Tameka Kearney, and that bad boy over there is Harm."
Taking her hand he gave it a brief shake saying, "AJ Chegwidden, and his partner in crime is Dammit."
"Dammit?" she questioned.
"It's a long story," he admitted with a rueful grin.
"Well, it looks like we might be going to be grandparent together in a few months so maybe we could find time for you to tell me the story someday.
"Wonderful, what am I going to do with a litter of puppies," AJ mutter aloud.
"If you don't have friends or family to give them to then you could bring them to me, I run a no-kill shelter and would find homes for them."
"That sounds like a good idea. What is the name of your shelter?"
"The Haven," she answered with a smile and then added, "I guess my run is over so I should be getting home. It was nice to meet you Mr. Chegwidden even if it was under unusual circumstances."
"AJ, please, and I feel the same way about our meeting. May I call you Tameka?"
"Most everyone just calls me Tami, it's easier"
"Alright Tami, then." Calling for Dammit and giving her a smile and nod, he took his leave.
AJ spent the rest of his run thinking about the encounter with Tami and 'Harm'. He thought how hard it would have been to face Rabb in the morning staff meeting on Monday if he weren't retired now. AJ knew that he would have been torn between upset for the thoughts that Harm could have done that, and laughter as he pictured Harm's face on the black lab! He was sorry that his time touring the ballparks with Francesca was over, they had had a wonderful time, but she had to return to Italy to begin the fashion season.
Realizing that he was missing his JAG family, he thought about inviting them all over for a New Year's Party at his home. He decided to call Harriett Roberts later and see what she thought of the idea.
To be continued…
