Timing Is Everything

Chapter 7

Memorial Day, 1997
1100 Local Time
White House Rose Garden

Sarah's and John's Legion of Merit approval came through. Ann Marie was so proud of him when she was told of the award. President Bartlett decided to give out the awards on Memorial Day. It was a great weekend. The President was very generous in offering to put up John's parents as guests in the White House, while his two brothers and their wives stayed in the Hilton.

Harm nervously played with his fingers as he watched the President walk up to the microphone to give his usual speech about why certain medals were awarded to someone standing on the stage behind him. Diane and Ann Marie, who were sitting on either side of him in the front row, each gave him a quick look to tell him that he was making everyone nervous by cracking his knuckles.

As Harm quickly apologized to them, Diane turned back to the stage and glanced at Sarah and John. Sarah was broadly smiling at her before the President started with his speech and she and John came to stand at full attention.

"On 6 January 1997, Major Sarah Mackenzie, U.S. Marines and Lt. Commander John Marshall, U.S. Navy did travel alone to Red Rock Mesa, Arizona in order to retrieve the Declaration of Independence. Major Mackenzie knew that her Uncle, former Marine Colonel Matthew O'Hara had possession of said Declaration. Upon arrival at the mesa, Lt. Commander Marshall and Major Mackenzie decided on a course of action.

While Major Mackenzie agreed to allow herself to be taken in by Col. O'Hara's group in an attempt to peaceably negotiate the return of the Declaration, Lt. Commander Marshall did traverse 1 mile of desert, climb a mesa 300 feet in darkness in order to accomplish his part of the mission.

Lt. Commander Marshall did succeed in concealing himself from the militia group while Major Mackenzie continued her negotiations. While Major Mackenzie did indeed succeed in convincing her uncle to return the Declaration, he faced rebellion from inside his ranks.

After he saw that Major Mackenzie became a hostage, Lt. Commander Marshall did use his weapon to secure the safety & freedom of Major Mackenzie and Colonel O'Hara.

This mission was undertaken by the both of these officers and accomplished with total disregard for their personal safety and thus is in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps."

Diane's eyes sparkled with pride as she saw President Bartlett turn away from the microphone and took the medal he was handed out of the box.

Sarah's eyes were also sparkling as she removed her cover from her head and bowed in front of the President as he placed the medal around her neck. John's family was equally proud when the president did the same to John.

"Major Mackenzie, Lt. Commander Marshall, a grateful nation awards this honor for retrieving its most treasured document and my personal thanks for a job well done go along with that."

"Thank you Sir" they both said.

The President had a light smile on his face as he shook hands with them both.

Sarah and John snapped off sharp salutes and noticed out of the corner of their eyes that Harm, Diane and the Admiral in the front row were saluting as well to their honor. The audience applauded. Ann Marie stuck her two fingers in her lips and unabashedly gave a whistle cheer. The President dismissed them with a sharp salute, and they returned to their seats.

The broad smile she gave Diane earlier was playing across her face again when she returned to her seat at the side of the stage. Like Harm, Sarah nervously started to play with her fingers, eager to get off stage as fast as she could.

After the ceremony was over and they finally walked off stage with the four other officers who were awarded medals, Diane immediately pulled Sarah into a hug while Ann Marie did the same for John. They endured more hugs and congratulations from their families.

After that John turned to Sarah and pulled her into a tight embrace. "The traditional kiss will have to wait till we're in private" he whispered into her ear, and Sarah chuckled slightly in return.

"Congratulations, Major, Commander," AJ uttered firmly and shook hands with her and John. "On behalf of the whole JAG Corps I must say that we are very proud of you both."

"Thank you, sir." They chorused.

"Mr. Marshall, where is the traditional kiss the Major deserves?"

John smiled at the Admiral before he turned to Sarah and lowered his head towards hers, waiting for the Admiral's usual 'gently, Officer' - which he didn't hear.

"To hell with it." he whispered shortly before his lips touched with Sarah's.

They both closed their eyes, and for the few seconds their kiss lasted, they didn't care about all the officers, families or anyone else standing around them and watching. Finally, John pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

"I am so damn proud of you, Marine," he whispered, bringing a wide smile on her face.

"I'm proud of you too, sailor," whispered back.

During the kiss, the President joined the small group of JAG officers watching John and Sarah.

"Admiral, you have two fine officers there." he said and shook hands with AJ.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, with receptions in the White House and a party for the two back at JAG.

Right after the weekend Admiral Chegwidden assigned the "three musketeers" to separate cases, John to Pensacola to prosecute a murder case with Traci Manetti. Then Harm, Bud & Sarah went first out to California and the jinxed squadron then to the Seahawk on a sexual harassment case. Sarah and John didn't see each other for over a month.

Independence Day, 1997
2100 Local Time
Colonial Beach, Virginia

The sky was just about dark enough for the fireworks display to begin. Harm and Diane were snuggled up together on the next blanket while Sarah and John were sitting on the other.

"I'm so excited, Harm. I've heard that they put on one of the best shows here." Diane looked over at John and Sarah then she whispered in Harm's ear. "Of course, nothing can compare to the fireworks at our house," she said as she stroked the small swell of her baby. Diane was 6 months pregnant with her and Harm's first child. They suspected that it was a honeymoon baby as the timing was just right, for which they were proud and happy.

"You're right, Honey," as he placed a firm kiss on her lips. Harm placed his hand over hers and they rubbed her belly together.

John caught Sarah's tender expression as she watched her sister and brother in law and kissed her temple. They shared a grin that said, 'They're so cute together.' Just then, the first burst of color exploded in the sky, followed by the collective "ooh" of the spectators.

For the next forty-five minutes, John and Sarah sat quietly side by side and watched the brilliant display of light. All around them the crowds continued to ooh and ah as well as clap and cheer.

John watched Sarah watch the fireworks. She was content and relaxed, more relaxed than he'd seen her since his return from Florida. He was glad he could share in her enjoyment of what he found out was one of her favorite holidays.

During the last barrage of fireworks, hidden speakers began to play the Star Spangled Banner. As the anthem wound to a close, people all around them started gathering up their belongings for the trek to their cars and the drive home.

"Why don't we wait a while for the crowd to thin out," suggested Harm.

"We shouldn't wait too long, Harm. You know how tired I get about this time," Diane said as she continued to pack up the leftover food into the cooler.

After a while Diane looked over at Sarah and John and asked, "Are you guys ready?"

"Actually, I was thinking of staying for a while longer. That is if your sister doesn't object," said John.

She'd been quiet for the whole week before the holiday weekend and he wondered what was bothering her. He came to know when she was stressed about a case, whether they were working it together or not. Since she seemed so content tonight, he hoped to make it last just a little longer. He looked over at her in anticipation of her response.

"That's fine, John," she said with a nod.

"Oh, okay then. We'll see you guys Sunday at dinner," Diane said as she picked up the blanket and folded it while Harm grabbed the cooler.

Sarah got up and embraced Diane. "You bet we will"

Harm gave Sarah a peck on her cheek and John did the same with Diane. Harm & John shook hands. "Bye, Sarah, John," said Harm as he and Diane walked away toward the parking lot leaving John and Sarah alone on the beach.

Sarah sat back down next to John.

"So," John bumped Sarah's shoulder with his. "How have you been, Sarah? I haven't seen you in a month what with me down in Pensacola with Traci on that murder case for that whole time and you and Harm were out to California and then out at sea with for two cases in a row. How did they go?" He studied her as she gazed out over the water.

Sarah sighed and responded, "They were frustrating. I thought we were going to lose my brother-in-law both times. First out in California it was a jinxed squadron that had all those accidents. Harm got to fly, but a refueling boom smashed through his canopy causing broken Plexiglas to hit his eye. He's lucky he wasn't rendered blind.

And then that 'Crossing the Line' incident on the Seahawk really scared the crap out of me. Lt. Isaacs, who originally filed the sexual harassment allegation, was a total screw-up as a pilot. What were the initials Captain Boone put on her record? Oh yeah, D.N.K.H. for "Damn Near Killed Herself" and then Congresswoman DeLong shows up. What a total bitch. Isaacs should have never been allowed back into a cockpit. But because of DeLong, she was and it got her killed on a ramp strike. Harm was with the L.S.O.s and he leaped from the catwalk to catch Isaacs' RIO, Lt Hawks' parachute before it fell into the ship's wake.

The only good thing that came from that trip was seeing Bud meet a pretty Ensign. They were so cute together. What was her name, Harriet Sims, I hope it blossoms into something.

What have you heard from Ann Marie? I know you told me she took leave from the White House." Sarah said changing the subject.

"Oh, she's fine. She's in New York. She's seeing a fertility specialist. Her and Peter are having trouble getting pregnant. She may want to try in vitro fertilization. The President was really generous giving her a leave so that she doesn't have to deal with the stress of answering the press' stupid questions about her.

Good luck to her and Peter," Sarah said quietly. "I didn't know she was having problems trying to have a baby. She never told me."

"Well you know she's the only girl among my two brothers and I and she was enjoying talking to another girl, she wanted to keep it happy and not burden you with her problems. Let her get to know you a little more and she'll open up."

"I like when we have our little talks. She tells me all about you" Sarah said with a smile.

"I could just imagine" John said as he settled Sarah into the V of his legs and embraced her close. He buried his nose in her hair. He loved the smell of the shampoo she used. Sarah clasped her arms above his and settled into him.

They were alone now. The waves broke softly along the shore. The darkness surrounded them. The stars twinkled in the inky expanse above them.

Sarah raised her face to the sky, closed her eyes, and inhaled the moist air. "I just love the beach."

After a short while, she slipped off her white sneakers and jumped up. "Come on, John, let's walk in the water." She held out her hand to him.

He couldn't see her face since there was little light. He grabbed her hand and she tugged him to a standing position. He slid his shoes off as well and they headed to the shore hand in hand.

"It's been awhile. I've missed you, John." Sarah said affectionately.

They walked in silence. No words were needed. They were a courting couple getting to know each other as they fell closer to love.

After they were walking for about twenty minutes they stopped for a minute and John pulled Sarah into a close embrace as they shared a kiss.

When they came up for air John whispered. "Maybe we should head back, it's getting late."

Sarah nodded and they turned and retraced their steps back down the beach to where they began. John grabbed the blanket while Sarah gathered up their shoes and they walked to the car.

John pulled up in front of Sarah's apartment building and she put a soft hand on his arm. "Thanks, John." She leaned over and placed a feather light kiss on his lips. "I needed this."

She unbuckled her seatbelt and was out of the car and up the front steps before he could say, "Anytime, Sarah, anytime."

He waited for the light to come on in her living room, assuring him of her safe entrance, before heading home.

He knew that if he had gone up, they would do something that they did not need to do now. They both agreed that they would wait until the timing was right before they made love for the first time. He did call her when he got home, just to hear her voice and to say goodnight. He swore he wouldn't wait very much longer to tell Sarah the true depths of his feelings.

August 1, 1997

1845 Local Time

John's house,

Florida Avenue, NW

After being apart for so long before the 4th of July, Sarah and John jumped right back into going on their dates. They were mostly on the weekends, usually Friday and Saturdays evenings. As was their practice, John would drop Sarah off at her apartment each night at the end of the date, where they would share a kiss at the door. When John got home, he would call Sarah and they'd spend another hour on the phone, making romantic plans.

During this week John sat second chair to Sarah as they defended Chief Petty Officer Connors in his murder trial. Connors was accused of shooting his fellow SEAL, Petty Officer First Class Mark Harridan during an operation on a freighter carrying illegal weapons off the coast of Libya. Harm was prosecuting as Bud sat as his second chair.

John enjoyed watching Sarah as she tried the case. He fondly remembered another case when they were on the same side as she was questioning a witness. Sarah rose slowly from her seat, John watching her every movement. He never got tired of watching her. She was so beautiful and the way she moved reminded him of a cat. Sarah started her line of questioning and John soon figured where she was heading and was once more amazed. He knew she was smart but she never failed to stun him.

She was standing in front of the witness stand, arms crossed and her deadly Marine glare on her face. She was tearing the witness apart and that SOB didn't deserve any better. He'd been lying all along and Sarah was making it seem even worse with what she did to him. He saw the same thing as she progressed in this trial. It was during this time that he enjoyed sitting second chair to her.

During the trial John was standing in the hall with Sarah during a court recess when Harm mentioned the possibility of a ricocheting bullet striking Harridan. John told Sarah not to fall for that, telling her that it wasn't possible as the bullets the SEALs used were armor piercing, powerful enough to go through steel plate as well as the armored vest Harridan was wearing.

On the other hand he was not quick enough to prevent Harm from firing rounds into the ceiling. Harm was trying to ascertain whether or not Connors' weapon jammed maybe causing him to fire by accident. John sensed what Harm was trying to do and he stood up to object. But before he could get the words out, Harm cocked and fired the weapon into the ceiling. All the other persons in the courtroom ducked for cover, except John. He just stood there glaring at Harm. Admiral Morris called both sets of counselors into his chambers and ripped Harm a new one.

The trial came to an abrupt end when Connors revealed that Harridan intentionally jumped in front of Connors while he was shooting a terrorist.

Connors revealed in closed court that Harridan was HIV Positive and that he committed suicide when he stepped in front of Connors. They were able to keep Harridan's HIV status quiet in order for him to receive the Navy Cross for his actions that saved the rest of the SEAL Team and to give it posthumously his family.

It wasn't until John and Sarah finally confronted Chief Connors that he admitted the truth. They brought their finding to Admiral Morris and he agreed to the conclusion of the case and to drop the murder charges.

With the case being over, John invited her back to the house for a dinner of pizza.

As they were entering his now furnished living room, John said, "You know Sarah I would have liked to be a fly on the wall at the Rabbs when Diane laced into Harm. She must have flipped when she heard about his weapons demonstration."

Sarah could only chuckle as they hung their uniform jackets on the coat tree in the entrance foyer.

"Yeah she was really pissed. She called me at the office the next morning to give me a blow by blow. You know she's more pissed off knowing that he is going to lose money for the repairs. Let's face it, you do not need to rile up a woman who is a little over seven months pregnant."

She sat on the couch she helped pick out. John went to the phone and hit the speed dial to order their pizza. After he hung up a minute later, he poured them both some soda from his refrigerator. He carried them in to the living room and sat down on the couch, sliding her glass over in front of her on the coffee table. She sipped some then as she sank down on the cushions she slipped her pumps off, rubbing her aching toes.

"Put your feet up here," John offered, patting his leg as he moved a little closer to her.

"I'm okay – really. It just feels good to get…"

She broke off when he bent over and grasped her ankles, lifting her feet into his lap.

"John, you don't have to rub my feet. I'll be fine," she protested, pushing against the throw pillows behind her to stay upright, but still not pulling her feet away as John began his gentle massage.

As she settled back against the mound of throw pillows behind her. John shifted, pulling her feet more fully into his lap. Sarah sighed deeply, feeling the tension of the day slide away from her. Several minutes later, she moved and did something that surprised John more than anything else could have. Sitting up suddenly, she swung her legs around to the floor and changed positions, laying her head on the hard muscles of his thigh.

Stunned, John remained where he was for the space of several heartbeats, his hands suspended in the air. Then slowly he lowered them. He took her left hand in his left and with his right he began to tenderly smooth his palm over her silky hair. She didn't say a word but shifted slightly to get more comfortable. The new position gave John an open chance to study her without her seeing him and he looked his fill. From the gentle flare of her hips, the nip of her waist, the length of leg she had curled up on the couch – a move which hiked her skirt up to mid-thigh.

John raised the hand he was holding to his lips and tenderly kissed the back. "Sarah, I need to tell you something."

Sarah opened her eyes, "Yes what is it?"

John continued stroking her hair, "I've fallen in love with you."

Sarah turned in his lap so that she was facing up at him. Smiling she said, "Really?"

"Yes really. I love you, Sarah. I don't want to sound like I'm giving you a lame line from a movie, and I want you to know that it's true; but I loved you from the first moment I saw you in the Rose Garden. I fell in love with you, Sarah, faster than I ever thought possible. That first case, in Arizona, it changed my life forever. You managed to break down every single wall I ever built around myself, and that didn't happen overnight."

As Sarah stared up at him, John continued, "Sarah, this is no joke. It took me this whole seven months of waiting to tell you because I wanted things to be right before I did tell you. I've really enjoyed this courtship and our dating, everything. Since I met you, I really look forward going to work every day knowing I'm going to see you, talk with you, be with you. That month I spent alone in Pensacola while you were with Harm was excruciating. Even though we e-mailed each other and talked on the phone the fact that I couldn't see your smiling face, hear your voice in person was hard on me. Hell even Traci saw that I was miserable. She was totally sweet, telling me every night to not forget to call you."

Sarah had to smile at that remembering her conversation with Traci in March.

She came out of her reverie as John continued, "When we go out on our dates, I feel like the luckiest guy in the world, knowing you're with me that you chose to be with me. I want the whole package with you Sarah, marriage, kids, grandkids, everything and it starts right now"

"Right now?" she whispered as a tear rolled down her face.

"Yes, Sarah, right now."

"Oh, John..." she couldn't say anything else as a sob escaped the confines of her throat and she pulled herself closer into his arms once again, pressing her cheek against his chest while her arms encircled his neck.

After she cried some happy tears Sarah pulled herself up to sit fully onto his lap and reached up with her right hand to caress his cheek and said happily, "I love you too, also since the Rose Garden." John was taken aback She went on, "When you rounded the corner and first saw me, I saw the look on your face. It seemed to say 'At last!' right?"

"Yes you're right.

That brought more tears to her eyes. She buried her head in his shoulder as she sobbed some more.

"Shhh. Don't cry, honey, I hate to see you cry."

"John, these are happy tears," she said in between sobs

"I'm glad, Sarah. I am," he said softly as hugged her close.

He tenderly rubbed her back and neck. Several minutes later, she had regained her composure. Pulling away from him, she looked him in the eyes, with a serious expression on her face.

"I am really excited about us being together now"

Sensing something was coming he started, "but..."

"No, buts" she shook her head in disagreement. "Just that I'll have to get used to the fact that my boyfriend is not just a hot shot lawyer in the courtroom, but a SEAL and a Legion of Merit winner"

He opened his mouth to speak and she quickly declared to him "I'm very proud of you, you know? I think you're one of the bravest sailors in the Navy and possibly the best lawyer around. I mean that award shows that you're courageous. Do you know how much courage it took for you to just walk out into an unknown desert and climb a cliff that you never saw before and in the dark, just on my word. I mean you didn't know me from Eve, yet you put all your trust in me, based solely on what I told you. Also when I caught you staring at me while we drove there, I was thrilled when you said I was very pretty. No man ever said that to me without some hidden agenda or been that honest. I knew then that we could have something nice going for us."

The sincerity of her words brought tears to his eyes. She saw them and wiped away a few that escaped his eyes. She knew she needed him to understand. Before tonight her own pride kept her from showing him exactly what she thought of him before, but not anymore. He already opened his heart to her.

Sarah continued, "I still want lot of dates. I still want to show you off! John, do you have any idea how awesome this feels? To know I have the most amazing man on the planet all to myself?"

Sarah beamed and kissed him soundly. The need for air broke their connection and he smiled at her, hugging her tighter to him.

The significance of her statement was clear to him. She was proud of him. She didn't want him because he'd make her look good, like some women he knew growing up. She didn't want him because he was handsome. Actually, she didn't even know if he was good in bed yet, but she was still attracted to him. She wanted to get to know him, his virtues as well as his faults, and still she wanted to fall in love with him. He had a whole new reason to pray now, gratitude.

John laughed saying, "I want to show you off to. Don't forget you won the same medal. I always thought that the woman I fell in love with should be as smart as she is beautiful. Hell, I wouldn't even mind if she was smarter than me. Look at the languages you can speak and understand; Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Farsi, Arabic and even Hebrew. I know I would still be the luckiest man in the world to have her and to have her want me."

Sarah blushed. She always appreciated that John always went out of his way to say how pretty or beautiful or smart and capable she was whether they were alone, in public or in the office. Every time he did that, she fell deeper and deeper in love with him.

They shared another kiss. When they broke for air Sarah asked a question. "Well then now that we have had this talk, would you do one more thing?

"What's that?" John answered

"Make love with me?"

John was stunned, "There is nothing I want more than that. But I don't have any condoms. Unlike the legend, this sailor was not ready for that eventuality. I don't want an unplanned pregnancy to complicate things."

Sarah just laughed, "Don't worry about that. I'm on the pill. "

John just smiled, "In that case, what are we waiting for?"

As if in answer, the doorbell rang with their pizza delivery.

Sarah disengaged herself from his lap. "Just put the Pizza on the table. I'll meet you in your room." Sarah got her shoes and their jackets and went upstairs.

John paid and tipped the delivery boy and hurriedly put the pizza box in the kitchen. He took the time to wrap some foil and place some hand towels on top of the box to keep the pie warm. That done he went up the back stairs two at a time.

When he got to his room, he was greeted by the site of Sarah standing seductively at the foot of his turned down bed. She was clad in one of his white dress shirts. Her uniform skirt, blouse and stockings were in a pile on the dressing chair; topped by her black lace bra and panties. The shirt she wore was obviously way too large for her and it covered her to down below her hips. She looked incredibly sexy wearing it. She closed only the bottom two buttons closed across her hips, just barely covering that area. Buttoned that way he only had a small glimpse of her attributes. He loved the way that the shirt was only opened enough to cover her nipples, allowing him to admire her ample cleavage and her navel ring.

Her eyes closed half way as she seductively said, "One of us is over dressed. Strip down sailor, NOW."

John lost no time in complying with her command as he stripped down to his boxer briefs.

He embraced and thoroughly kissed her. She in turn pulled him closer. As she raked her nails down his back, he sucked in a sharp breath. Gradually she became aware of the growing hardness pressing against her stomach, and she smiled against his lips. "I always wondered if I could do that to you," she murmured, and he smiled back.

"Sarah, you have no idea." John breathed into her ear.

He turned her around to stand behind her and positioned her facing the mirror that hung over the low dresser. She closed her eyes, and wrapped her arms backwards around them both. She could still feel his arousal against her back as he held her in close contact with one arm around her waist. He slid his other hand up, stroking one breast under the fabric of her shirt. She shivered as she felt her nipple harden in her own arousal.

He watched her face in the mirror as she came undone under his ministrations. He loved the look on her face as she held her head back and he nuzzled her neck and nipped at her ear lobe and whispered, "Go easy on me, Marine. It's been a lot longer than I like to admit."

"You and me both, sailor – ohh…" The dresser came to her rescue as she placed her palms flat on top as the hand around her waist snaked down her belly to find the soft curls below. "Damn, you're sneaky."

"Well, I – " Whatever response he might have made was lost in a low groan as she reached behind her and between them to stroke him with long, precise motions. "God, Mac…"

"Oh, I'm Mac now, am I?"

He didn't reply but turned her around so that she was up against the dresser and flicking open the closed buttons of the shirt and went to work on her. As he proceeded to give her pleasure, her vision faded to gray, but she managed to gather enough brain function to shove the briefs down enough so that he could wiggle them down to the floor and step out of them.

'Oh my God, he really is gorgeous from head to toe. I must be dreaming this.'

As he continued his oral examination of her she leaned back onto the dresser with her arms stiff, holding her up and her head thrown back in ecstasy. She shivered as he, cupped the heavy weight of one breast in his palm, pushing it gently up and kissed it on its underside. He repeated the process on the other breast. He then kissed down her cleavage and settled at her navel ring. He took it in his mouth and gently sucked on it, feeling her quiver beneath his fingers, it occurred to him that there was nothing more stunningly beautiful and arousing than hearing those little gasps in the back of her throat. He looked up and saw her looking down at him with smoky eyes and flushed cheeks and a small grin.

Kneeling down in front of her, as she stood braced against the dresser he buried his head between the warmth of her thighs. He loved the taste of her, the smell of her. It was overwhelming him, and he wanted to make it last as long as possible. He could feel as she came close to climax. He backed off and kissed up her belly as she shook her head no. He resisted her as she tried to push his head back to where she wanted it. When she settled down again, he went back where she wanted him and worked on her until she was close again and then he backed off.

Sarah finally realized what he was doing and stopped trying to force him back whenever he stopped to let her catch her breath. But she reached her limit on the 5th time around. She managed to gasp, "Bed, now," as she pulled him there. She flopped onto the bed with her legs dangling over the side as she lay down crossways.

John resumed his ministrations of her. Sarah gasped loudly, sliding her hands down to his head and entangling her fingers in his hair. Soon he was rewarded with a sharp cry as he found her most sensitive spot. Her own willpower crumbled in the face of the fire coursing through her blood. "Oh God," she called out, bucking her hips up against him. He felt her hands slide away from his head and he lifted his gaze up long enough to see her reach out and clutch at the sheets with her fists, clenching and unclenching as she writhed and moaned in pleasure.

At that moment, John wanted nothing in the world more than to see her come apart under his touch. With that in mind, he redoubled his efforts. He put her legs over his shoulders so that her knees draped down his back. He then took hold of her and lifted her off the bed, and brought his mouth back to her.

He began to give her pleasure more energetically. It only took a minute for him to feel the rhythmic clenching of her thighs around his head, as she pushed herself into his face. Not letting up for a minute, he continued to bring her to her climax.

At that moment she called out his name, "Oh John!" Her entire body started to shiver, her back arched in spasms, her legs crossed at his back and her knees pounded his shoulders as the force of her orgasm hit then washed over her. He stayed between her legs wanting to prolong her climax for as long as he could. It wasn't until her body relaxed and the tremors eased that he pulled away completely, moving up to lie beside her.

"You are so beautiful," John whispered reverently as he reached out and gently brushed a lock of sweat-dampened hair from her forehead.

She smiled softly, her eyes still hazy with passion. Lifting her arms up, she locked them around his neck and pulled him down and kissed him. Sliding her arms down to grip his shoulders, she began trailing kisses along his jaw line. She made her way to his earlobe and began to nibble gently, before placing her lips against his ear.

"My turn," Sarah murmured, in what he determined was the sexiest voice he had ever heard.

Before he could think of a response, she flipped them over so that they repositioned themselves fully on the bed with him underneath her and she was straddling his waist. Flashing a wicked little grin, Sarah began an exploration of her own.

John fought desperately for control. He wanted to remember everything about their first time together, every touch, every smell, and every taste. But as soon as he felt Sarah's lips gliding over his chest, he knew that it was a hopeless battle; the sensations she was creating in him were so powerful that he was helpless to do anything but let them sweep him away. Her lips latched onto his nipples, lavishing them with the same attention he gave hers, while she raked her nails gently across his abdomen. She was everywhere, invading his senses completely. All that mattered was that he was there, and he was hers, in every way.

Her caresses of his body stopped abruptly, and his eyes shot open in dismay as he watched her lift herself off of him. He opened his mouth to protest, but all he could get out was a strangled moan as he felt her place delicate kisses on each patch of skin. Each patch, that is, except the one that he most wanted to feel her mouth on. That particular area was deliberately avoided as she made her way down his legs. She pressed a small kiss onto each one of his toes, John's body was on fire and he was ready to explode. It took all his strength to keep from flipping her over and entering her until he found his release. He wanted to give her equal time to play. Still, he thought as he watched her peruse his body with a predatory gaze, if she didn't do something more than look soon, he wasn't going to be responsible for his actions.

"Sarah," he groaned, drawing her gaze to his face. ""Sarah," he begged, his voice nearly hoarse, "Please."

Sarah looked at him with an expression that was a curious mixture of tenderness and lust. She crawled her way back up his body and smiled.

"Well, since you asked so nicely," she said, just before she wrapped her mouth around him.

Any last coherent thoughts he might have been clinging to, fled from his mind as Sarah began her ministrations. And although a part of him wanted to let her finish this, the larger part wanted the first time he came to be inside her. With that in mind, he slid his hands down and gently pushed at her shoulders.

Sensing the question in his eyes, she smiled up at him, and Sarah understood what he was trying to do immediately, and pulled her mouth away with an audible pop. Licking her lips slowly, she moved up his body once again. She brought her face to his, engaging him in a long, sensual kiss as she slowly eased herself down onto him. He was inside her with a kind of ease that surprised them both. She took her time, letting her body adjust to the invasion, moaning when she finally felt the entire length of him fill her. Leaning up, she braced her hands against his chest and began to rock slowly back and forth. John let her set the pace at first, wanting to make sure she was comfortable, but his own need soon took over. Sliding his hands to her hips, he squeezed hard and thrust his hips up to meet hers. Sarah groaned low in her throat, pushing off of his chest.

There would be a time for slow, languishing, tantalizing love later. Right now, this wasn't it. This was an urgent need, a desperate affirmation of something that was burning for months. The waiting had made it very intense.

As she rocked harder and harder against him, nearing her release, she held her head back in pleasure and picked up the pace as she moved fast and hard, her breasts bouncing with each thrust. Feeling his climax coiling inside him, he slipped one hand off of her hip and began to stroke on her hypersensitive clitoris, wanting to take her with him when he came.

She gasped loudly the moment his fingers made contact, "Ohh, God, John, oh, please…" A brilliant, searing oblivion flooded through her, and the strangled sound that escaped her couldn't even be recognized. Falling forward on her hands and knees as she slammed her lower body against his she let out a small shriek as she came again.

The first sensation of her muscles contracting tightly around him sent him tumbling over the edge as well as he felt his own climax overtake him. Letting out a harsh groan, he pressed her down onto him as he came along with her. She all but collapsed on top of him against his chest as every last drop of energy drained out of their bodies in that instant. They lay there together for a measureless time, the workings of her internal clock too much for her overloaded brain to process.

"Wow, I didn't know it could feel so good," she said finally, breaking the silence and rolling off to lie beside him. John echoed her feeling as he let his gaze run up and down her lithe body.

"Yeah, I almost don't believe we just did that." He pushed himself up onto one side, a sheen of sweat still visible on his skin. "Do you regret it?"

"Are you kidding, no way."

"Me either."

He pushed himself up on an elbow so that he could gaze down her body some more. She did not take off the shirt during their lovemaking and he said,

"You know, I'll never be able to wear that shirt again."

Sarah just laughed. "It looked like an old one" as she moved to take it off.

John stopped her, "Leave it on. You just look so damn sexy in it." She snuggled up against him, leaned up and gave him a long sweet kiss.

They broke apart and he flashed a grin, but soon he was serious. He positioned himself so that they were once again eye-to-eye before he said, "You know when I said before that it was a long time for me, I really meant it. You are only the second woman I have ever made love to. The first one was my girlfriend that I knew from college, the one I told you about before who didn't like that I was in the Navy. I'm very glad that I waited for you."

She smiled as she tenderly cupped his cheek and replied, "I glad I waited for you to. I haven't been with another guy since my first and only time when I was 16. I don't remember much because I was drunk at the time. I only remember waking up alone with a pain in my groin and blood on the sheet. According to Eddie it was Chris Ragle. I'm glad he went away and got arrested. I just shutter at having any kind of relationship with him if he made me pregnant. After that I started taking birth control pills. They also helped to regulate my period."

"I'm sorry your first time making love was so bad for you," John said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"My first time wasn't bad at all," Sarah said impishly.

John looked down at her with a cocked eyebrow and commented, "But you just said you were drunk and..."

Sarah silenced him with a finger to his lips. "You are the first man with whom I made love. When I lost my virginity, it was just sex. You are a great lover. You were very generous and tender, letting me be comfortable and satisfied. You made me feel like a real woman."

John smiled and took her deeper into his arms and laid a deep kiss on her. When they came up for air, they settled into a comfortable embrace. They lay still for a while, enjoying each other's contact.

John felt the need to speak up, "You know if we're going to make this work, we're going to have to make some decisions, about JAG and stuff," he added.

"I guess we do." She lifted an eyebrow and asked, "What you said before about 'the whole package, marriage to grandkids' was that a proposal?"

"Not yet. I really want to enjoy this next phase of our relationship before we take that step. Please don't get me wrong, I am no commitment phoebe."

Sarah smiled at that.

"But because of the UCMJ we need to be very careful. First we need to tell the admiral how we feel about each other, just so we don't get accused of anything improper. That is if he hasn't already figured it out yet. I mean we owe it to him, don't you think?"

"I agree that we should. That ought to be fun. I guess we've got the whole weekend to determine a plan of attack. We do need to do this right. That way we don't have anything between us."

"Let's let the admiral know, together on Monday. He might turn around and say, 'I don't see a ring'. I mean, we've been working and dating for quite some time. It never affected our work, even when we opposed each other in court."

Sarah smiled as she remembered their legal sparring times.

"Also you know as well as I do that the military is fickle. It wants us to do well where we are and then when it sees how well we're doing, it uproots us to do well elsewhere. I promise you that wherever we get sent, I'll always love you Sarah. Knowing now that you love me it makes it easier to deal with the admiral and what his reaction could be. Do you agree?"

"I agree and I also want you to know that whenever the Navy or Marines separates us, duty wise, I will always love you to. As long as I know that, it will make it easier when we are apart."

Sarah then gave him a meaningful glare and seductively said, "Until then we have all weekend. Let's see if you're up for more fun?"

He gasped as she reached for him.

Moving closer to his ear she whispered, "I can feel that you are. Lie back and let me take over".

Sarah then gave him another searing kiss. He had no idea how long they stayed in that position, their lips locked together, her hand wrapped around his erection with their bodies pressed as close as possible. Sarah probably knew, but he wasn't about to ask, she just kept moving her hand, gently stroking him as he got hard again. After they broke their kiss she pushed him back to lie against the pillows.

"Now I'll show you how good I can be," Sarah said provocatively.

At that he readily gave himself over to her. John watched her eyes as she perused his bare chest with an appreciative eye as he stayed perfectly still, wanting to see what her next move would be. He wasn't disappointed. Sarah began kissing her way down his chest, letting her hands roam again over his chest and abdomen. When she reached his nipples, she tried a different technique than before as she ran her tongue across one while raking her nails lightly over the other. The sudden burst of pleasure took him by surprise, and he bucked his hips uncontrollably. He groaned as he let her continue.

Sarah flashed him a wicked little grin as she leaned up, still running her nails lightly over his chest. Slowly, she began to crawl backwards until she was straddling his knees. She ran her fingers idly across the skin of his abdomen, no other part of her body touching his. He was totally at her disposal, enjoying everything she was doing. Even so he knew what she was doing and wanted her to get to what she had in mind.

"Sarah, I can't take it anymore, please," he groaned.

She raised an eyebrow at him, and he thought he was going to have to start doing some serious begging, when she took pity on him. John moaned when she licked her lips hungrily and fixed her gaze at where he wanted her most. Before he could prepare himself, he felt her warm wet mouth engulfing him again.

'Oh man, she is good at this,' he thought as she again swirled her tongue around caressing him, the sensations were so overwhelming. It took all of his self-control not to wrap his fingers in her hair to control her. He wanted to leave her in complete control. He reached up and grabbed hold of the head board. He let what she was doing to him completely take over his consciousness. He wanted to hold his climax off to make what she was doing to him last as long as possible.

"Oh Sarah, this feels so good, don't stop." John managed to gasp out.

Sarah looked up at him with smiling eyes as she continued. She loved how he just put his head back to enjoy what she was doing to him. It wasn't long before she felt that he was getting very close. She closed her eyes in exquisite pleasure as she took him over the edge. His eyes closed as he breathlessly called out her name. She gladly accepted and swallowed all the reward for herself. She released him and got up and to use the bathroom. She came back to find John lying almost insensate. She gently lay down next to him.

It took him a moment to come back down to earth, and when he did, he saw that Sarah was lying next to him with her head propped on her elbow smiling down at him affectionately. Summoning up what little strength he had left, he reached up and pulled her to him, settling her at his side. She pulled the bed covers with her and immediately curled up against him under them, draping an arm across his chest.

They lay there for an indeterminate amount of time, quietly enjoying the feel of their embrace. Sarah moved first when she went to move off of him. But John stopped her as he wrapped his arms tightly around her and pressed her against his chest.

"Don't go," he murmured a hint of pleading in his voice. Lifting her head, she smiled at him with tear-filled eyes. Pressing a kiss to his lips, and then to his chest, she lay her head back down and snuggled further into his warm embrace.

"I'm not going anywhere, 'hot stuff," she answered firmly, using his sister's nickname for him, and he could hear the joy and contentment in her voice. "Not without you."

"You can call me that any time you want. I like the way you say it better," he told her

There was another long kiss as their hands explored each other.

As they broke the kiss Sarah sniffled and rubbed her face against his chest, causing him to laugh lightly, but still concerned enough to ask, "Are you okay?"

"John, I..." she began, pressing her head to his chest and locking her arms even more tightly around him, digging her fingertips into the skin of his side.

John waited.

"I feel, very," she continued. "Very warm, very cherished, very protected and very..." She paused and buried her head more deeply in his chest.

"What?" asked John

"Loved," she mumbled her voice almost inaudible.

"Excuse me?"

"Loved," she almost shouted. "Okay, happy now?"

"Very," he grinned.

A sense of peace and contentment washed over him at her words. For the first time in his life, he was truly and completely happy. And it was all because of the amazing woman in his arms. He was glad she had her head turned to the side so that she couldn't see the big, dopey grin he was helpless to wipe from his face.

Giving her a quick tight squeeze, he whispered sincerely, "I'm not going anywhere either, Sarah. Not ever. I promise."

"So I guess we're stuck with each other," she responded sleepily. He laughed.

"I guess so."

"Good," she murmured happily, and promptly fell asleep. John reached out and grabbed the edge of the comforter pulling it further up to cover them both. Bending his head, he pressed his lips to her hair.

"Better than good, perfect," he whispered, before leaning his head back down. He closed his eyes and let sleep overtake him, secure in the knowledge that when he woke up, she would be there waiting.