MEET THE GUNNY
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JAG Headquarters: The Following Morning
Jen was in early the next morning. She went through her usual routine automatically. She was making coffee when Isabella walked in.
"Morning Jen, how are you?" Isabella asked.
"I'm good and you?" Jen replied with a smile.
"Nervous," Isabella confided. "I always am when I take on new duties. I was up half the night studying the manual and then I couldn't sleep."
"Just call me if you need anything." Jen nodded sympathetically.
They walked back out to their desks and Jen went in to brief the Admiral on his schedule. He was expecting Webb and Gunny at 9:00.
Isabella was absorbed in her work for the upcoming week when a shadow came over her desk. She looked up into deep pools of chocolate brown eyes and a very grim looking mouth.
"Good morning Gunny. I believe the admiral is expecting you. I'll take you to his office." She said trying to be nice.
"I remember the way" Gunny said a little impatiently. He wasn't sure why he was being so rude to the CPO. He didn't have much time to think about it though because Webb walked in. He strode purposefully over to where Gunny was standing and nodded briefly.
"Galindez," Webb said and turned his attention to Isabella, "Clayton Webb to see the Admiral." Before she could answer AJ walked out of his office.
"Gunny, it's good to see you." AJ said and turned. "Webb."
He motioned them back to his office while Webb rolled his eyes at the back of AJ's head. Gunny hadn't meant to but he looked back at his replacement. No one that beautiful should be all buttoned up and with her hair in a bun.
AJ's Office
Inside AJ's office Webb wasted no time.
"AJ I need Galindez for a classified operation." Webb announced.
"How did I know you needed something from one of my people? He was just coming back to JAG ops. How long do you need him?" AJ looked at Webb over his glasses.
"Three months." Webb said evenly.
"THREE MONTHS" AJ thundered.
"I can't tell you the details AJ but I need Galindez because of his law enforcement experience." Webb continued,
"And if I refuse, Mr. Webb?" Gunny asked finally speaking.
"Please don't. I've already assured the director that you would." Webb tried to be patient, as Gunny grimaced. "I'll make it worth your while. What do you want?"
"When I decide what I want, I'll let you know." Gunny grinned.
"Can I count on you Galindez?" Webb asked, his control was close to snapping,
"I'll do it but you owe me." Gunny replied after leaving Webb dangling for a few seconds.
Webb thought "As long as he doesn't hit me again, life will be just fine."
"When do we get started?" Gunny asked.
"Tomorrow" Webb replied. "Officially you'll still be attached to JAG so you'll have to appear here for at least a little while each day but you will report to me. AJ, can you live with that?"
"It doesn't look like I have much choice in the matter." AJ sighed and pressed the intercom button. "Coates, get me Santini, ASAP."
"Aye Sir" was the crisp reply.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. "Enter" AJ called out.
"You wanted to see me, Sir?" Isabella asked looking only at the Admiral. Why does that marine make me so nervous?
"You will be working with the Gunny. He won't be spending entire days here but he will be in each day. He will help you get to know the particulars of JAG Ops." AJ advised her.
The last thing Gunny wanted to do was train his replacement, especially one who looked like Isabella and made him uncomfortable. She was about 5' 6" with thick black hair that was pulled back into a bun. She had enormous green eyes and fair skin that looked like she never saw the sun. She was about 130 pounds and had well defined calf muscles. Gunny continued his mental assessment and didn't hear her.
"Gunny?" She repeated and reached out to touch him.
Jumping slightly, he snapped out of it and looked at the Admiral and Webb, who were watching him watch her. "You and CPO Santini should get started right away. Dismissed," The Admiral said,
"Aye aye, Sir," They replied and snapped to attention.
After they left AJ looked at Webb and said, "If anything happens to the Gunny, you'll wish it was only your nose I break."
Webb merely gave AJ his patented I'm in control of the situation look and walked out the door.
Bullpen
Gunny and Isabella were sitting at her desk. He was giving directions and she was taking notes. The phone rang and they both reached for it at once. Their eyes locked and the air sizzled with tension. Gunny withdrew his hand without saying anything and let her take the call. They continued working in a similar manner for about another three hours. Jen could see them from her desk where she was talking to Tiner on the computer.
The Admiral is making Gunny train Isabella and he looks very uncomfortable.
Why does he look uncomfortable?
I'm not sure. I'll have to keep an eye on them and I'll let you know.
The buzzer on Jen's desk rang and she told Tiner I have to go. The Admiral is calling but I'll get back to you later. Xoxo
She signed off and headed into the Admiral's office. Not long after, she approached Isabella's desk and waited for Gunny to finish speaking. They both looked up at her.
"Chief, did you forget we had that lunch today?" Jen was hoping Isabella would play along. She looked like she needed rescuing.
"Oh yes, that's right. Gunny, could we get back to this after lunch?" Isabella replied quickly.
"Fine," Gunny replied, he looked a little annoyed. The girls ran to the deli around the corner and brought lunch back to the courtyard.
"You looked like you needed rescuing. I've never seen Gunny so wound up. What did you do to him Isabella?" Jen asked.
"He's been that way since I answered the phone yesterday." Isabella shrugged. "And please call me Bella. It's what my friends call me."
She smiled warmly at Jen. It was nice to have a friend. She missed San Diego and her family but she needed to look forward. They chatted over lunch until Jen looked at her watch.
"We'd better get back. I'd rather not have to face the wrath of the Gunny if he has to wait for you." Jen said.
The girls were laughing as they walked back into the bullpen. They got quickly back to work. Isabella was on the phone when Gunny got back from lunch.
"Got it, I'll get started looking for those cases immediately Colonel." Isabella was taking notes as she talked.
She hung up and looked at Gunny. Why does he look at me like I just kicked his dog? What did I do to him? I'm not going to get any help from him by being as surly as he is so I'll kill him with kindness.
"I need to get to the law library and find these cases for Colonel MacKenzie. Would you mind showing me where it is?" She followed him down the hall to the library.
Bud was in there looking up some cases of his own. He smiled when they walked in.
"Gunny, it's good to see you back at JAG. Chief, how are you settling in?" Bud asked.
"I'm doing well thank you, Sir. The Gunny is showing me all I need to know." Isabella replied warmly.
"Bud, are you ready? The Corporal is in your office." Sturgis asked as he walked in.
"I'm on my way, Sir. See you later Gunny, Chief." Bud said as he left, leaving them alone in the library.
Gunny was carrying a book looking for one of the cases and not watching where he was going. He didn't see Isabella reaching for a book on the top shelf and he walked right into her, knocking her off balance and sending her to the floor. He looked down at her saying nothing.
"Yes Gunny, I'm fine. Thank you for asking." Isabella said with slight sarcasm. She got up off the floor and took the list from his hand. "I think it will be easier for me to find these on my own."
"Fine, I'll be at my, I mean your desk when you finish. We still have a lot of work to do." Gunny replied.
She ignored him and continued pulling books. He walked out of the library leaving her simmering. That is by far, the most infuriating man I've ever met. I'm sure he's used to getting his way with a smile. But I think it hurts him to actually crack one. Uuuuuggggghhhh, does he have to be so damn sexy in that uniform?
Gunny was having similar thoughts as he worked. He looked up to see Isabella heading for the Colonel's office with more books than she could easily carry. He decided to assist her, and as he took the books from her, their hands touched. Again the air seemed to be alive.
"Thank you." Isabella said determined to be nice.
They worked
together for the rest of the day speaking only when it was necessary in the
course of their duties. Jen continued to
watch them from her desk. She was
talking to Tiner again.
I figured it out. He likes her and doesn't know how to handle
it.
Gunny has a crush?
I think so. And I think she likes him too. I wonder which one will admit their feelings first and which one will be the more stubborn. I'm guessing that Isabella will be the stubborn one.
Then you haven't known Gunny long enough. LOL
The finished up their conversation and Jen turned off her computer. Isabella and Gunny were both getting ready to leave. ,
"I think we got off of the wrong foot. I'd like to start over if you'd be willing. Truce?" Gunny said through gritted teeth and held out his hand as he held his breath.
"Starting over sounds like a good plan, we never were formally introduced. I'm Isabella Santini." She looked pensively at him and took his hand.
"I'm Victor Galindez. It's nice to meet you Miss Santini." Gunny felt a charge when his palm touched hers.
They weren't exactly friends but at least they could try to work peacefully together.
Jen was still watching them and thinking I'll have to tell Jason that I know Gunny better than he thinks. She and Isabella walked out the door together.
Gunny stood watching them leave, asking himself, why does that woman get under my skin? What is it about her? He didn't have long to think about it because his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and chuckled.
"Hello Sexy Beast. Sand Crab speaking," He answered.
"Cute. Meet me at McMurphy's in half an hour. We have work to do." Webb stated.
"I'll be there." Gunny said, he turned off the lights and computer and headed out the door.
