Chapter 17 – Staying Close

Word spread quickly in a town as small as Middleton; by the next morning there were few who hadn't heard about the incident outside Merlettos. Martha arrived at Grey House far earlier than was likely appropriate for a social call, but being the Mayor afforded her certain privileges.

"Come in Martha," Cassie called quietly as Martha lifted her hand to knock on the door at the back of the kitchen. Martha entered and immediately saw the telltale signs of a near sleepless night on Cassie's face. She crossed the room and hugged her tightly.

"I have been so worried about you all! I heard late last night and didn't want to call in case you were resting, but I see now I could have. How are you holding up?" Martha stepped away and held her hand to her chest. It was unnerving to see Cassie, usually the picture of composure, looking so affected.

"We all had a restless night," Cassie admitted. "We're very fortunate that AJ sustained only minor injuries, it could have been much worse."

"And Abigail?"

"Physically unscathed, but she was badly shaken by what happened. She feels responsible for AJ being hurt."

"The poor dear! Derek called me just as I was on my way here. He has the vehicle that struck AJ in the police garage and will be having it fully inspected first thing this morning," Martha informed her.

"Thank you, Martha. Would you like some tea?"

"No, thank you dear, I don't want to intrude, I just wanted to see how you all were doing and make sure you know that Tom and I are only a phone call away if you need absolutely anything, day or night."

"That's very kind of you, thank you." Cassie smiled as she set her mug down. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble to just let us know when Derek has concluded his investigation."

"You have my word that you will be the first call I make when I get the report in." Martha paused for a moment before adding "Would you like for me to pass the word for people to keep their distance, at least for today? I think just about everyone in town has heard about what happened and I know several people who are intending to come check in on you all."

"I don't mean to seem ungrateful for everyone's concern, but I think that would be good. I believe a quiet day is what we all need after last night."

"Say no more, I'm on it." Martha squeezed Cassie's hand now before reminding her "I'm here if you need me."

"Thank you, Martha."

After Martha left, Sam walked in from the hallway. "I don't think I've ever seen Martha that subdued or agreeable," he muttered quietly as he hugged Cassie from behind. "I looked in on Abigail and AJ before I came downstairs; they're still asleep."

"How did you know I was going to ask if they were up yet?" Cassie felt some of the tension draining from her.

"I guess all that intuition is rubbing off on me." He kissed the side of her head before whispering "They're both going to be fine,".

"Well, I won't lie, I feel better knowing Grey House has an on-site doctor today."

"Oh come on, I just called the hospital while you were talking to Martha. How do you do that?" He looked at her curiously before dismissing it as just another one of those Merriwick moments that would never be explained. "So, what can I help with?"

"I'm going to make chocolate chip waffles. Since you'll eat all the chocolate chips before they make it into the waffle batter, you're on fruit cutting detail."

"Curses, you've figured me out!" Sam squinted before stepping around the island to start cutting up the fruit that Cassie had washed and set out on a towel. As he reached for a knife, he quickly plucked a few chocolate chips from the bowl and popped them in his mouth then smiled at Cassie as she attempted to give him a stern look.

By the time Cassie had the last of the waffles prepared, everyone had come down for breakfast and Mattie, Harm and Mac had joined them. As she took the last waffle from the iron, she saw Abigail step around the bottom of the staircase. She was still wearing AJ's sweatshirt and clearly hadn't been awake for more than a few minutes.

"You almost never make waffles," Abigail commented as she grabbed a chocolate chip from the bowl. She knew perfectly well that Cassie had made them this morning because they were her favorite. "Thanks Cassie."

"It's a beautiful morning. I thought you might enjoy eating outside. Might be one of the last ones warm enough before the weather shifts."

"Sounds great," Abigail replied absently as she chewed another chocolate chip. She looked at her cousin and walked around the island to hug her tightly.

"It was very sweet of AJ to stay with you last night," Cassie said quietly.

"Nothing happened, I just, I needed him close by."

"Abigail, you and AJ are consenting adults. If anything intimate had happened that would be entirely your business and yours alone. You don't have to explain to me or anyone else and you certainly don't have to leave your door open."

"Actually, that was my call," AJ said from the hallway.

"Well, that's very chivalrous, however as I told Abigail, it's none of my business or anyone else's. Please feel free to spend as much time together privately as you wish," Cassie smiled at him. She looked at Abigail as she continued. "Grey House is and always will be your home. You don't owe anyone explanations."

"I don't know what I'd do without you," Abigail answered as she wrapped her in another tight hug.

"I have no plans to go anywhere. Well, except for going outside for breakfast. We should get out there before the waffles get cold."

Abigail nodded and picked up the pitchers of juice and coffee cream that were sitting on the counter. "AJ, would you mind bringing out the coffee and tea?" she nodded in the direction of the two large carafes.

"My pleasure," he nodded, picked them up and followed the women out onto the veranda where everyone else was already sitting and chatting.

"Good morning, Admiral," Bud called cheerfully.

"Morning Bud," AJ nodded to him as he sat the carafes on the table then pulled Abigail's chair out for her. Once she was seated he sat down beside her and looked around. "Okay, in the interest of getting this over with and not going through it a dozen times; I feel fine, the arm's a little tender, I've got a couple of bruises and I have been hurt worse playing baseball. Hell, this doesn't even crack the top twenty-five injuries I've sustained in my lifetime so while I appreciate the concern, just don't."

"Aye aye, Sir," Harm replied with a smirk and lifted his coffee cup to AJ.

Sam raised his hand like he was asking a question in school. "I'm actually required to continue assessing your condition on a regular basis, sorry," he commented.

AJ laughed and rolled his eyes. "Fine Doc, you get a pass, just don't over play it."

"Understood," Sam smiled as he reached for the coffee.

"And one other thing, while we're all here. I am not anyone's Admiral anymore. The only person here who's even still involved with JAG is Bud, can we curtail the Sirs and aye ayes?"

"That can carry for the two of us as well," Harm agreed as he quickly squeezed Mac's shoulder.

"Actually…" Bud said with a smile and a look at Harriet. "We were going to wait a few more days before saying anything, but this morning feels like as good a time as any to share that I'll be putting in my papers when we get back to DC. I'll be joining the retirees ranks as well."

"Congratulations Bud!" Harm said with a wide grin.

"Thank you, Si—Harm," he smiled back. "Harriet and I have been talking about it for a while and spending time together here made us realize that this is what we want in our lives right now."

"End of an era," AJ muttered before taking a sip from his coffee. "I still remember the day these two met. Bud had been with JAG all of five minutes, Harm thought Mac was a ghost and I instinctively knew that my job was never going to be simple again." He paused for a moment. "I was right too."

They all laughed.

"In my defense, Mac bore an uncanny resemblance to Diane, so yeah, I was a little thrown. Almost as much of a resemblance as there is between her and Cassie. But I'm starting to think that's just a Middleton thing because if I didn't know any better, I would swear that Sam is a guy I knew back in OCS. They could be brothers; the resemblance is surreal."

"You have any random doppelgangers I should know about?" AJ asked Abigail.

"Nope, I'm one of a kind," she smiled back at him.

"That you are, my dear," AJ smiled and briefly kissed her temple. He was glad to see that she was more herself this morning. It had worried him seeing her so restrained last night.

"So, Bud, when are you retiring, officially?" Abigail asked to shift the attention off herself and AJ.

"Probably within a few months," Bud answered. "Maybe around the beginning of the new year."

"Once Bud is out, we're planning on traveling for a few months," Harriet said. "After that, who knows."

"I hope that means you'll be able to come visit more often," Cassie said as she took some of the mixed berries and fruit from the large bowl that Sam had cut up.

"We definitely will," Bud nodded.

"Good. It'll be nice to catch up when you come around," AJ commented casually.

"Sounds like you're planning on staying in the area, AJ," Sam remarked.

"Well, it wouldn't make much sense to leave," he answered with a grin to Abigail. He noticed the way her eyes seemed to almost sparkle as he spoke. He was certain that she hadn't been expecting it but was happy about the idea.

"You're thinking of moving to Middleton?" she asked. How was it that he kept catching her off guard like this?

"If Middleton is your home, that makes it my home too. Unless, of course, you object to me living nearby," AJ's smile grew wider as he saw the touch of red that came to her face as he spoke. Her features were lovely to begin with, but when her color flushed like this, she was utterly captivating.

"I definitely do not object," she admitted.

Cassie caught a flash of a look that Harm and Mac exchanged and wondered what they were thinking.

"I'll send you Ryan Elliott's contact info. He's the real estate agent Mac and I used when we bought our house. He'll know what's on the market and what kind of timeframes you'll be looking at," Harm said. He wrapped his arm around Mac's shoulders as he leaned back in his chair.

Despite his misgivings the day before, he could see how right for one another they were. Oddly enough, seeing them at the hospital after the accident had been what made him realize it. The concern they'd had for one another, their connection in the waiting room after they had both been released, he could see that the bond they'd developed in the short time he'd been here was strong. Her fiery, spontaneous energy was a good complement to all his discipline and control.

Harm smiled as he realized that Cassie had been right; good things happened in Middleton.