((AN - Okay, so kind of a fluff/filler chapter and if y'all aren't on the AJ/Abigail ship, you're probably not gonna be into a good portion of this one. I know I am a minority on this one, but I have been shipping them hard for years so now that I am finally actually writing a JAG/GW crossover, I had to explore it. :) Consider yourselves warned.))

Chapter 12 – Dance With Me

The atmosphere was light and energetic as they ate dinner. As the sun set, the lights which Grace and Cassie had hung illuminated and twinkled softly above them giving the gathering an almost ethereal glow. After dinner, they moved inside where Cassie had converted the parlor into a small reception room, draped in flowers and lights, with soft music drifting through the space.

"When did you find time to do all this?" Sam asked her curiously. Cassie had been busy with so much else throughout the course of the day, he had no idea when she found time to stage the room so elegantly. He absently wondered if there would ever come a time in their relationship when he would stop being amazed by the things that she was able to accomplish. He seriously doubted it and he hoped not.

"Some things you just don't question, Sam," Cassie repeated his earlier statement to Bud.

"You are a masterpiece," he said quietly as he pulled her into a quick kiss. "Would you like to dance, Mrs. Radford?"

"I would love to," Cassie replied, "but first things first." She nodded toward Harm and Mac who had just stepped into the center of the room and began swaying together to the song which had just started playing.

Sometimes the snow comes down in June... Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon...
I see the passion in your eyes... Sometimes it's all a big surprise...

Sam wrapped Cassie in a tight hug from behind as they stood to the side of the room and swayed slightly in time to the music while they watched Harm and Mac.

And now we're standing face to face... Isn't this world a crazy place…
Just when I thought our chance had passed… You go and save the best for last…

As a second song started, everyone stayed to the side of the room. Seeing Harm and Mac together, completely lost in one another as they were at the moment, was too perfect for anyone to want to intrude on it.

Maybe it's intuition…
But some things you just don't question…

Sam's forehead wrinkled as he looked at Cassie who smiled innocently back at him.

Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant…
And there it goes… I think I've found my best friend…

As the song played, Sam began singing along with the lyrics so quietly that only Cassie could hear him.

There's just no rhyme or reason… Only the sense of completion…
And in your eyes… I see the missing pieces I'm searching for…
I think I've found my way home…

Cassie closed her eyes as she leaned back against Sam.

I am complete now that I've found you…

When the next song began, Bud and Harriet joined Harm and Mac on the dancefloor and Sam whispered, "Dance with me," into Cassie's ear. A shiver ran through her as she let him lead her out. Each couple moved in time to the song as the song played.

Nothing to hide... Believe what I say...
So here I am... With open arms...
Hoping you'll see... What your love means to me...

Cassie's eyes focused on AJ as stood near the back of the room; he seemed to be searching for something with his gaze. No, not something Cassie realized, looking for someone... She grinned and one eyebrow raised up a touch. "What in the world are you up to?" Sam asked quietly.

"Just dancing with my husband," Cassie shrugged as she leaned in close.

Abigail walked in and leaned against the wall. She smiled as she examined the couples dancing. Watching Harm and Mac move, entwined as one, she couldn't help but think of how happy she was for them. Seeing them together and feeling the intense emotions that were pouring off them was wonderful, particularly when she thought back to the night she'd met them. So much had changed in such a short time and she was proud of having helped them reach this point, even if her involvement had been minimal.

Watching the way Mac moved, she again had the same experience she'd had the first night. As she watched her, the hair on the back of her neck stood up and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was a connection that they had yet to identify. Even for the Merriwicks, Mac was too much of a coincidence to be just that. They still hadn't made any progress figuring out what Mac's connection to the Merriwicks was, but now that Cassie and Mac's weddings were out of the way, they would have more time to focus on figuring things out.

Her gaze shifted to Cassie and Sam and her smile softened. Seeing Cassie so happy after all she had been through since she lost Jake filled her heart. She remembered how dark Cassie's energy had been when she had first come to Middleton from New York. She had put on a good show, especially around Grace, but Cassie had been shattered. When she'd first arrived in town it had shaken her to see the change in her cousin. Thankfully, she had eventually allowed herself to heal and love again. Abigail still doubted Cassie's assertion that she had done very much to help, but if Cassie believed she had then she was proud to have done so.

"Miss Pershing, may I have this dance?" AJ asked her quietly as he stepped up beside her and held his hand out.

Abigail had been so lost in her thoughts that his words had caught her off-guard. "I'm afraid I've never been much of a dancer," she admitted awkwardly. Her heart raced as she looked at him. He was handsome to begin with, but in his dress blues with the gold SEAL insignia catching the light and his numerous decorations, he was making it difficult for her to remember how to breathe evenly. Though if she were being totally honest with herself, he had that effect on her regardless of what he was wearing.

"Don't worry, it's all in the leading," he told her as he smiled but made no move to touch her yet. He was letting her call the shots, she could walk away or take his hand, but it would be her choice.

"What if I fall?" Abigail asked quietly. She had been drawn to AJ since he'd arrived five days ago and she could feel that he she had the same effect on him. She could also feel his hesitation, an uncertainty about something. She would wager it was because of their age difference.

"Then I'll catch you, or I'll fall with you. Either way, I promise I won't let you get hurt," he replied, smiling warmly as he kept his eyes on hers. If he were being truthful, not staring at her body was taking far more effort than it should for a gentleman. The off-the-shoulder gown she wore fit her in a way which made maintaining his composure extremely challenging. The Oxford blue fabric clung to every curve and the embroidered tulle overlay created a subtle tone-on-tone pattern which made keeping his eyes from her form nearly impossible. There were clusters of sequins in the same deep shade which caught the light when she moved; the effect reminded him of the way the light of a full moon plays upon the undulating surface of the ocean, simultaneously dark and light and utterly captivating.

She smiled and slid her hand into his. The jolt that coursed through her was like grabbing a live wire; it crackled and sparked across her skin and straight through her core. He led her away from the edge of the room and effortlessly held her in a way that was close but not so close that she couldn't pull away if she wanted to. He was making this her choice as well. She smiled up at him almost shyly and moved closer as they began shifting slowly in time with the music. When she did, she felt his hand slide gently from her waist onto her lower back, holding her body so close to his that they were very nearly touching as they swayed in time with the music. Her pulse raced as she let him lead her movements with the slightest changes of pressure against her back and in the hand he held.

You're never gonna be alone… From this moment on…
If you ever feel like letting go… I won't let you fall…

"Is this the part where we make awkward small talk?" AJ asked her as they moved together.

Abigail smiled and chuckled quietly. "Isn't that what first dances are for?"

"I like that you called it a 'first dance'. Implies there'll be more than one," he remarked. He smiled as he saw her blush. He couldn't resist asking "Do you always blush so easily?"

"Actually I almost never blush," she acknowledged. "You seem to have a knack for triggering it, Admiral."

"I'd prefer it if you called me AJ," he told her. "I'd apologize for making you blush, but given that it makes you even lovelier, I can't really feel bad about it."

"Now you're doing it on purpose, AJ," she shook her head as she looked away and took a deep breath. She could feel the heat in her cheeks now and realized there was no fighting it. She shifted a little closer and smiled as he simply adjusted his posture to hold her against him. She sighed quietly as she felt herself relaxing into his embrace. "Remind me to thank Harm and Sarah for deciding to have their wedding here in Middleton."

We're gonna take the world on… I'll hold you 'till the hurt is gone…

Cassie closed her eyes and leaned her head against the side of Sam's as they continued to sway. She felt a shift in the atmosphere. She opened her eyes and saw Grace look around curiously and the expression on her daughter's face when she spotted AJ and Abigail. Grace then looked at Cassie and the two of them shared a look that said more than words could. A moment later Cassie caught Mac's eye and she saw a near identical expression on the new bride's face. Mac's eyes darted fleetingly to AJ and Abigail before coming back to Cassie. Mac's eyebrow raised and a mischievous grin came to her lips.

As the next dance began, Harm whispered something in Mac's ear then pulled away from her before kissing her briefly. He led her to the side of the room then turned to Mattie and asked her to dance. He led her into the center of the room and held her in a classic ballroom posture which made Cassie think that he must have taken lessons at some point. She sighed as she watched Harm with Mattie. The deeply loving look on his face as they talked quietly while the song played was so easy to read. Cassie felt the deep connection they shared. She could see he was a wonderful father figure to the young woman who he was clearly proud of; the fact that it was by his choice rather than genetics made their bond even more special.

When you need me call my name… 'Cause without you my life just wouldn't be the same…
If you want me come sunny skies or rain… When you need me just call my name…

Cassie was extremely content. Almost everyone was dancing now; Stephanie had ducked into the kitchen but everyone else had paired off. George had taken Harm's place with Mac, Martha and Tom, even Nick and Grace were dancing together in that terribly awkward way one dances with their sibling.

The night was perfect. Even by Merriwick standards, everything had fallen into place flawlessly.