TITLE: A Gift Of Love
AUTHOR: Clairisant and Brenda
CLASSIFICATION: AJ/Other
RATING: NC 17
FEEDBACK: Would love to hear both good and bad feedback but please try to be kind and constructive. Clairisant and brendagaye42210
CREDITS: A special thanks to our beta reader Qupeydoll.
Chapter 1
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
1015 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
It was a normal Tuesday at JAG, the morning staff meeting had just ended, and Petty Officer Coates had given the Admiral his messages when she sat back down at her desk and answered the ringing phone. "Admiral Chegwidden's office, Petty Officer Coates speaking. How may I help you?" Jen asked as she always did when answering the phone.
"Yes, Petty Officer, the President Elect of the United States, calling for Admiral Chegwidden," came the voice of his secretary.
This was a first for Jennifer and in her excitement hit the switch on the phone twice instead of once and because of that, announced to the President Elect, "Sir! You have a call from the President!"
President Elect Lassiter laughed and said, "Really? Do you know what I was calling myself about, Petty Officer?"
"Oh drat!" she exclaimed into the phone and this time got up and ran into the Admiral's officer to say, "Sir, the President is on line two for you!" and picked up the receiver from the phone on his desk to hand it to him as she pushed the button for line two.
Shaking his head at her lack of decorum, AJ said into the phone, "Yes, Mr. President?"
"It's actually President Elect Lassiter, Admiral."
"Good morning, Sir. What can I do for you today?"
"I need a favor from you, Admiral. A personal favor."
"Of course, Sir, anything I can do to help," AJ replied, very curious now as to where this could be leading.
"I need your help in finding my daughter."
His brow furrowed in thought, AJ couldn't recall any mention that the incumbent President had a daughter. "Your daughter, Sir? I was not aware you had a daughter."
"It seems that the intense investigation that I went through last week turned up a youthful indiscretion that none of the other background checks found. I was not aware of her existence before yesterday."
"I am at a loss as to how I can be of help in this matter, Sir." AJ was truly confused.
"This needs to be handled discreetly and with care. I am being given time to find her and bring her forward so she can be openly acknowledged."
"Again, Sir, I am wondering how I fit into this?"
"The investigator could not find my daughter, but he has located her mother in Texas. I want you to go down there and find out where Tessa is, and bring her back with you."
"Sir, I am honored to serve you in anyway I can, but surely there is someone better suited to the task?"
"No, Admiral, you are my first and only choice for the job."
"May I know the reason you've selected me, Sir?"
"I hope you're sitting down, Chegwidden."
"I am, Sir."
"Her mother is Adele Chegwidden, your sister."
"Sir, that is NOT possible!"
"The report has been checked and double checked. There is no mistake."
"There has to be, Sir! My sister is a Nun!"
"What?!"
"A nun, Sir. She is the Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of Saint Mary."
"This just keeps getting better!" exclaimed John Lassiter. "I may not remember your sister, but I am sure that I was never with a nun!"
"You don't even remember the incident, Sir?"
"No, but that is 'need to know' Admiral!"
"Yes, Sir! Sir, may I ask how long ago this incident was?" AJ inquired.
"Thirty five years ago, Tessa is thirty four."
"Adele has been a nun for thirty five years. Sir, I can assure you that my sister and I are close; if I had a niece she would have told me about it."
"Maybe the reason we can't find my daughter is the she gave up the baby for adoption and then entered the convent?" Lassiter suggested.
"Sir, I am sure that is not the case, but I will take on this job for you, and I will discover the truth."
"Thank you, Admiral, please send all of your expenses to me, how quickly can you leave?"
"I will be on the next flight, Sir."
"Please keep me posted on anything you find out."
"I shall, Sir." After hanging up the phone, AJ told Coates to get Lieutenant Roberts and Colonel Mackenzie into his office ASAP! When the two arrived minutes later, AJ instructed Bud to book him on the first available flight to Houston and then began to go over the things that needed taking care of in the office while he was gone, leaving Mac in charge in his absence.
To be continued…
