TITLE: Lost Daughter

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

Sunday, September 26, 2005

1830 EST

AJ's home

McLean, Virginia

It was a peaceful Sunday afternoon when the call came in; AJ had been doing yard work after his morning run and had just come into the house to start preparing dinner when the phone rang. He saw on his caller ID that it was his sister, Adele, in Texas and guilt hit him for not returning the three previous calls she had made to his home in the last week.

Things had been very hectic at work lately and he had been putting in longer hours than normal. That was why he had missed the calls and by the time he had eaten and showered, when he would get home at night he was ready to fall into bed instead of returning her calls. But that was no excuse for not having done it today. Even though he had put in a full day at the office yesterday, he had today free and clear. He had just wanted to physically exert himself and rest his mental energies today.

Picking up the receiver just before the answering machine would have taken the call again, AJ said, "Hey, sis, I was going to call you after dinner. How have you been?" Although they were twins, and still close after all these years, both had very busy lives and they found it hard to keep in as close of contact as they would have liked. It had actually been a few months since they had talked although they tried to email each other once a week.

Adele's voice came across the line, weak and shaky, so totally unlike her normal brisk firm tone that AJ was instantly concerned. "AJ, how soon can you come to Texas?"

"What is it, Adele? You sound awful!" he exclaimed.

"That's what I was calling about, they operated yesterday and closed me up without doing anything. There's nothing that can be done, the doctor says I have a week, maybe two. I'd like to see you, if you can get away…" her voice trailed off weakly.

"Are you at home or in the hospital, sis?" he asked, trying to keep the tears that were streaming down his cheeks, out of his voice.

"I wanted to be at home, so they are releasing me tomorrow so I can be."

"I'll be on the next flight, Adele. Hang on, sis, I'm coming!"

"Thank you, AJ," she whispered.

He hung up and hit Mac's number on his cell phone as he headed for his bedroom to pack. When she came on the line, he began to explain, "Mac, I need to be in Texas ASAP my sister is dying…."

"Oh, Sir! I'm so sorry!" she gasped.

"Thank you, Mac, I need you to take charge of the office while I'm gone. If there's anything that you need I will have my cell with me."

"How long will you be gone, Sir?"

"I don't know, they have given her a week, two at the most," his voice broke as he said that.

"Don't worry about a thing here, Sir. You go and be with your sister. I'll handle this end."

"I knew I could count on you, Mac, thanks."

"Have you made your flight arrangements yet, Sir?"

"No, that was next on my list, and I need to kennel Dammit."

"Sir, let me take care of her for you! I miss Jingo and would love too. Also while you pack, I'll call Bud and have him get you a flight. Where in Texas?"

"Houston, and I'll need a rental car. Are you sure about Dammit?"

"Yes, Sir, I would enjoy it."

"Then why don't you stay here while I'm gone? All her things are here and I just stocked the fridge. You would be free to use anything."

"Thank you, Sir, I'll be right over so you can show me things and I can drive you to the airport. That way you won't have to leave your Escalade in long term parking."

"That would be great, thanks again, Mac."

"No problem, Sir, I'm on my way."

Twenty minutes later the phone rang just as AJ finished packing for the trip. It was Bud Roberts, "Sir, I got you on the 2215 flight out of Dulles this evening. I'm sorry, but that was the soonest I could arrange. Colonel Mackenzie told me about your sister and I tried my best to get you out sooner…"

"That's fine, Bud, thanks."

"You have Harriett's and my sympathy, Sir, and if there is anything that we can do for you, just let us know. Your rental will be waiting and your flight confirmation number is 1247D94." AJ wrote it down and thanked Bud again. He went ahead and made dinner, figuring Mac would be hungry even if he thought he wouldn't be able to eat. He was setting the table when Mac knocked on the door.

"Come in, Mac," he said as he opened the door to her. "I hope you're hungry, I made dinner."

"Oh, Sir, you didn't have to feed me!" she exclaimed, just as her tummy growled.

"But you are hungry?" he asked with a half smile.

"Always, Sir," she admitted ruefully.

He led her to the dining room and was soon back from the kitchen with a platter of Salisbury steak, backed potatoes and salads for each of them. "What would you like to drink, Mac? I have iced tea, coffee and bottled water."

"Sweet tea, Sir?"

"Yes, and call me AJ in my own home please," he smiled.

"Then tea, please, AJ," she smiled back.

After her first bite of steak Mac asked, "Where did you get this sauce, Si…AJ? It's fantastic!"

"I made it. Its simple really," he told her.

"Sure!" was her skeptical reply.

"It is! You just sauté the tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic until it is all soft and pour it over the steak.

"But you forget that I'm a terrible cook!" she teased.

They finished dinner companionably and after clearing the table he showed her around the house and explained Dammit's feeding times. Before long it was time for them to leave for the airport. As they pulled up and AJ got out handing her the keys, Mac said, "I'm sorry about your sister, AJ. Take all the time you need, things are in good hands here."

"I know they are, Mac. Thank you again for all you've done."

"Anytime," she replied as he hurried off to check in.

To be continued…