Chapter 37

Saturday, 6 December 2003

1230 EST

Mac's Apartment

Georgetown, Washington, DC

When they were all together again, AJ told them, "After lunch, I will need to head back to McLean. I need to feed Dammit and let her out."

"Dammit?" Chloe inquired.

"My dog," he answered.

"You named your dog Dammit?" she asked incredulously.

AJ chuckled, "No, she kind of named herself.

"And very appropriately!" Mac added, remembering the day he brought the dog to JAG HQ and she knocked an entire stack of files off of her desk. AJ's eyes met hers as he also remembered and they both smiled at the silly memory. Although their smiles were a bit stiff after the morning's sadness, it was still good to smile again.

"We will have to take your car, Admiral. Mac's 'Vette is way too small!"

"Sure, we can take the Escalade. Are you both ready?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

When they arrived at the mall, they headed straight for the food court. Mac got a burger, while AJ chose a gyro, and Chloe got a meatball sub. After eating, Chloe begged for a few minutes to run into the music shop, so she could see if the newest CD's from her favorite groups were out yet.

"Chloe, Christmas is just around the corner. You should wait to buy anything. Someone might be getting those things for you," Mac told her.

"Oh, I wasn't going to buy anything. I just wanted to look. Is that okay?"

"Sure, honey, go ahead. I will wait here for you, and enjoy all the decorations they have put up."

"We will," AJ added, sitting next to Mac on the bench outside the store.

"Is it possible?" Mac asked AJ, when they were finally alone.

"Is what possible?" he questioned, not wanting to assume she could possibly mean the same thing he was thinking!

"Is it possible that Sarah and Albert's love was so strong that they came back as Andrew and Suzanne and then Alvin and Shannon?" and thinking of the still unread diary, "And who knows who else?"

"Do you realize that if what you're thinking is true, that we—you and I—could be a part of this same chain?"

"That would mean that we were destined to fall in love with each other," Mac said softly, not daring to look at him.

"And that is just not possible!" AJ stated. He was sure that there was no way that Mac could feel the way about him that he felt about her.

"Right…..not possible," she sighed sadly. She should have known that the kiss last night was just a fluke and that he really did not have feelings for her!

"Hey, guys! I just had the greatest idea!" Chloe exclaimed as she ran over to them. "Since this is Mac's birthday weekend, why end it now? We could rent some movies and go out to your house, Admiral. Take care of your dog and then watch movies all night long! We could even stay over if you have a guest room and then tomorrow we could read the last diary that you guys found in the desk!"

"Chloe! Breathe!" Mac laughed.

"She has been around Bud Roberts too much!" AJ chuckled.

Sighing impatiently, Chloe pleaded, "But what do you think of the idea? Isn't it the greatest? We could even call my grandparents and have them pick me up from your place tomorrow instead of from Mac's! That way we would not have to interrupt the day at all!"

"I think that's a great idea, Chloe," AJ told her, not wanting to analyze the reasons behind this plan. He did not want to admit even to himself that any plan to keep Mac near him was a wonderful one.

Mac was surprised but pleased at his answer, she jumped into the conversation quickly before he had a chance to change his mind, "Well, that would mean that we would need to stop back by my place again before heading to McLean. We will need to pick up sleepwear, Chloe's bag, and the last diary."

"Sounds like a plan!" he said. "Lets hit the video store and then head back to your place. Would you girls like take-out for dinner, or should I just plan on cooking for you?"

To be continued…