Chapter 22

AJ woke to the smell of coffee that drew him to the kitchen where he found Amica busy frying bacon and humming a tune that he didn't reconigize. "Good morning," he said softly hoping not to startle her.

Spinning around with the tongs still in her hand she grinned and raced across the room to throw herself into his arms, "Good morning!" she practicaly sang and lifted her face for a kiss.

There was no doubt in her face only love shining from her eyes AJ's heart melted at the sight and brought his head down to fulfill her wish to be kissed. When it ended he told her, "Breakfast smells wonderful, what are you making?"

"I made pancakes and bacon," she answered as she turned back to the stove to turn the bacon again, "There's also coffee, I hope I made it strong enough for you."

Pouring himself a cup AJ found that it was nearly perfect he smiled and told her so! Shooing him to the table Amica promised that the food was nearly ready and that she would bring it to the table as soon as it was ready.

They enjoyed the meal together and Amica told him about the phone calls she wanted to make. AJ offered his study to her if she wanted privacy but she told him it wasn't necessary. There was nothing in the calls she needed to make that was a secret.

Amica was stunned to discover that her CO dined on 9/11. He didn't die when the plane hit the building or when he pulled his assistant from under the crumbling wall of their office. He also didn't die when he ran back into the building to pull out another injured Marine or the next sixteen people he pulled out of the buring, smoking building. However after delivering the eighteenth victem to the rescue squad and starting back into the building Admiral Scott Halyard had a massive heart attack and was gone before the paramedics who were only a few feet away could get to him.

After getting that report from the assistant of the Admiral that had replaced Admiral Halyard she was put through to Admiral Linda Crawford listened to her story then she told Amica that she would have to chedk with her CO to find out what she could do for her. "Until I know something enjoy some time off," was all she had to offer.

Her second call to her former landlord went a little better in the satisfaction department. He'd had her next door neighbor boxed up her clothes and personal effects and put them into the storage area of the basement. As far as he knew the boxes were still down there and she could pick them up at anytime.

AJ suggested that they could go as soon as she wanted but Amica reminded him that he couldn't drive.

"Ah, but I know something that you don't!" he told her with a broad grin.

"And what would that be?"

"That the drivers licence bueru is only four blocks away from here."

"I don't understand," she looked at him questioningly.

"There is no reason you can't drive so all we need to do is get your licence and then you can drive my Escalade to get your things," he replied.

"Oh AJ, that is a good idea, but you don't even know if I was a good driver before I was in the coma!"

"Amica I trust you and in the end it's only a vehicle and is insured so can be replaced."

She laugned, "That's not very reassuring!"

"True," he chuckled. "But you were also right that I don't know what kind of driver you were. However, you need use of a car so I'm willing to risk it. Okay?"

"You are so sweet!" she kissed his cheek, then added, "I was a good driver but I've never driven anything as large as your Escalade so I might need some practice with it before taking it out on the road."

"Well I have a long driveway here so you could get used to it and then once you have your license we can find an empty parking lot for you to practice in."

"I guess we have a plan then," she told him and held out her hand for the keys.

To be continued…