A Challenge

CHARACTERS: Commander Harmon Rabb, Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden, Gunnery Sergeant Galindez,and Lieutenant Roberts

ITEMS: A heart-shaped box of chocolates, A Ruby Ring, and a kiss.

It was Valentine's Day and the men folk at JAG had been so preoccupied with a heavy workload that February 14 had arrived without notice. The first Bud knew of it was when Harriet left a card on his desk. The red envelope was a giveaway. He flipped it over in his hands a few times.

'What's up, Bud?' Harm said as he passed by.

'Valentine's Day, Sir, and I forgot,' Bud replied.

'Damn, so did I,' he hurried to his office and made a phone call.

As he put down the phone the Gunny appeared at his doorway.

'Sir, are you busy?' he asked.

'A bit. Give me 5 minutes – I'm just trying to organise a Valentine's Day thing.'

'God, Valentine's Day. I forgot. Irena is going to kill me,' he left quickly.

Two hours later, Admiral Chegwidden called Harm, Bud and Gunny into his office. He looked serious and the men were quite apprehensive. They had been in there 20 minutes before he spoke.

'What the hell is the meaning of this?' he produced a box and placed it on his desk.

The men stood in silence.

'It's one thing for men to shake hands or to give each other a friendly pat on the back or, God forbid, a hug. But this, this is just over the top.'

He opened the box and produced a heart shape box of chocolates, a ruby ring and a long stemmed rose. He picked up the cards floating around at the bottom of the box. Each one read, To my Valentine from each of the men standing before him.

They continued to stand in silence.

'Well…' the Admiral demanded.

'Sir, how did you…' Bud began.

'Well, Lt. I received a gift from Meredith and these came with it. I think they are a little over the top.

'Sir, sorry, the ring was for Harriet,' Bud said picking it up from the desk, 'it's her favourite gemstone.'

'Very well, Lt, you're excused.' Bud left.

'Sir, the chocolates they for me or rather they're the one's I ordered for Irena,' The Gunny said.

'Very well, Gunny, take them and go.' He did.

'Well, Commander, I believe this is yours.' The Admiral handed Harm the rose.

'Ah, yes Sir. Thank you.' He went to leave.

'Commander, tell me. You have no wife, no girlfriend, who is the lucky recipient?'

'Ah, uh, a friend, Sir,' Harm stammered.

'Dismissed.'

Harm walked out and looked around the office, it was fairly empty. Now would be his chance. Quietly he walked into Mac's office and left the rose on her desk. He had wanted to do it for years but this was the first time he had summoned up enough courage. He had left the office before Mac had returned from court and went home, wondering what her response would be.

It was quite late and Harm had decided to put away his paperwork and call it a night. He had just finished changing for bed when there was a soft knock upon the door. He opened it and was delightfully surprised to see Mac standing before him, holding the rose.

'Hi Mac,' he said feeling terribly flustered.

Mac didn't speak. She put her arms around his neck and drew him to her. At first she kissed him gently and tenderly. But as she realised he was responding favourably it became far more passionate and intense than even she had anticipated.

Finally, out of breath, she broke the kiss. She gazed into his eyes and for the umpteenth time thought of how gorgeous he really was.

'Mac…' Harm began.

She put a finger to his lips. 'Happy Valentine's Day, Harm.'

She kissed his cheek and left.