THE GIRL FROM NEW YORK CITY
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WEBB'S OFFICE
Webb woke up unusually happy. He arrived at his office by 7am. He hummed The Ad Lib's song, Boy From NY City, as he walked to his office, Oo ah oo ah oo oo, Webbie tell us about the girl from New York City. Ok so he changed the words a bit. All he could think about was Anna; he had to know more about her. He had to see her again. Sitting at his desk he wondered what her hair looked like. Both times he had seen her she was wearing it up; he wanted to know how long it was. Webb, snap out of it. He thought shaking his head. You're thinking about her hair. He sat down at his computer and went to the Internet. "Ok Google, tell me what you got." Webb said as he typed in Anna's last name. He could have easily used government databases, but he wanted to do this as though he was an average person with out access to, well, what he had access to. Webb's eyes widened as he saw the information pop up:
He found a slew of Paparini's listed. Several listings for an Anthony Paparini, he ignored them. There were two on a Lucia Paparini, not interested, a bunch on Salvatore Paparini that name was familiar, and then he was what he was looking for.
Paparini, Anna Sophia: Daughter of Anthony and Lucia graduates from Columbia….
Webb clicked on that link. There was a Sunday New York Times article from the society section about Anna with a picture. She had graduated from Columbia Law School in 1990 Suma Cum Laude, done her Undergraduate Studies there as well. She was editor of the Law Review. As he skimmed the article it mentioned that her father was Anthony Paparini. Webb stopped and reread the paragraph. He wasn't just a lawyer as Anna had casually stated. He was a Federal Prosecutor. He was the lead prosecutor that took down the Corelli crime family in the 80's and early 90's. He continued to read the article and it mentioned her sister was Teresa Paparini, a lawyer at a Virginia law firm. It then went on to say that her mother Lucia Paparini hosted one of the most successful fund raising campaigns for AIDS Research in New York. Typical childhood? Webb laughed. There was nothing typical about Anna.
He went back to the search page and looked at the articles about Anthony Paparini. Impressive, he thought. He read some of the articles about her father. Anthony Paparini was the youngest son of Salvatore and Isabella Paparini. Why do I know that name? Webb wondered. Before he could answer his own question, his boss walked into his office.
"Early bird eh Webb?" The Director asked.
"Yes Sir." Webb replied closing down the search.
"Meet me in my office in 10." The Director said and walked away.
That was it for gathering information for today. Hopefully as he and Anna got to know each other better she would tell him more. He got up and went to his boss's office. As he was sitting in the meeting, his mind began to wander. Without knowing it he began to whistle the Ad Lib's song.
"Webb! Would you mind joining us and cut out that insidious whistling." The Director snapped.
"Sorry, where were we?" Webb asked.
WEBB'S CAR
With his meeting over, Webb left the building to handle some spy stuff. This naturally meant a trip to JAG. On his way there he called Anna.
"Catering sales this is Kelly how may I help you?" Kelly said.
"Hi Kelly, this is Clayton Webb is Anna available." Webb asked.
"One moment please." Kelly said placing him on hold. "Anna, it's that guy from yesterday. Do you want to talk to him or should I blow him off?"
"Give me that phone." Anna laughed. "Clay, hi how are you?"
"Good, and you?" Webb asked.
"Great thanks." Anna said you could hear her smile.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. You get enough sleep last night?" Webb asked. God I didn't just ask that.
"Slept like a baby." Anna said with a laugh.
"That's good." Webb replied. Just ask her moron.
Anna paused for a moment and realized she needed to take the lead. "You know we never finished our game last night."
"Our game?" Webb asked.
"I tell you something about me and then you tell me something." Anna said.
"Oh right." Webb replied. "Well, that's ok."
"Clay why are you calling?" Anna asked trying to push him in the right direction.
"You said I could." Webb answered. Smooth Webb.
"Yes I did." Anna laughed. "Clay I have guests coming in, may I call you back?"
"Sure, my cell number is 202-555-9322" Webb said.
"I should be done in about an hour. Will that be convenient for you?" Anna asked.
"Anytime would be great." Webb said.
"Ok, talk to you soon. Bye." Anna said.
"Bye Anna nice chatting with you." Webb said and hung up. Nice chatting?
Once the call was disconnected Webb shook his head. What the hell is wrong with me? He figured that it was because of the information he found out about her. She had lied. Then he realized she hadn't lied; she said her father was a lawyer, true. She had gone to Columbia, also true. She mentioned she was from New York, easy enough to check out. Why couldn't he talk to her? Because she is the most amazing woman you have met in a long time. He would have to figure this out later; he had just pulled into JAG.
ANNA'S OFFICE
"What guests do you have?" Kelly asked. "I could have given him the shove off for you."
"I didn't want you to." Anna smiled. "This one is a nice guy, he just needs a push."
"Wow, you want to see a guy for a second date." Kelly laughed. "When was the last time you had a second date, or a first one for that matter? I thought you were all work."
"Kelly, go file something." Anna laughed.
"I'm going. Anna what time did he leave last night?" Kelly asked.
"Ay, whadda askin? Go file..." Anna laughed stressing her accent and waving her hand. She returned to the contracts on her desk and also watched the clock. An hour and 10 minutes had passed; she picked up the phone and dialed.
"Webb." He said into the phone.
"Hi Clay, is this a good time?" Anna asked. "You're not planning espionage or anything?"
"Your timing is perfect." Webb said.
"I have a half day today, I was going to drive out to Manassas. Any chance you could join me?" Anna asked.
"Let me rearrange some things." Webb quickly answered. "Where do you want to meet?"
"How about my place?" Anna replied. "Oh and if you can, bring your riding clothes."
"Sounds good, is one ok with you?" Webb asked.
"One is perfect." Anna said. "See you then."
"Since when do you take half a day?" Kelly asked.
"Since I am the boss." Anna laughed.
"You're hooked." Kelly laughed. "I think I just won the bet."
"What bet?" Anna asked.
"With the guys in the kitchen. They said you are the nicest boss they ever had, but bet me that no one could melt the Northern Ice Princess." Kelly laughed.
"Ice Princess? Gee thanks." Anna said.
"Oh come Anna, you are so all work and no play. You know it." Kelly stated.
"Hmm, no wonder I can't get a decent espresso here. My kitchen staff is too busy wagering." Anna teased.
"You know we all love you." Kelly said with a smile.
"I know. Listen I will have my phone with me so call me if anything comes up." Anna said picking up her purse. "There is one site inspection today, you can handle it."
"No problem and Anna, I'm really happy for you." Kelly said.
"Me too, but don't go spending that money yet. Let's see if he's as good in the saddle." Anna laughed.
HUNTER'S CROSSING
Anna was changing into her riding gear when Clayton Webb pulled up. He walked to her door and knocked.
"Come on up, Clay." Anna called from her bedroom. "Give me a second."
"No problem. You shouldn't leave your door unlocked." Webb stated. "It's not safe."
"Thanks Dad!" Anna teased. "The construction guys will be back soon. They have to be able to get in, DUH!"
"What are you doing?" Webb called back.
"Getting my boots." Anna said walking into the living room.
"How are you?" Webb asked leaning in for a kiss.
"Fine and you?" Anna said accepting the kiss.
"I'm good. You look cute." Webb said looking at Anna. She was wearing a pair of jodhpurs and a NY Yankees jersey. She had her hair in a French braid that hung down her back.
"Thanks" Anna laughed. "Did you bring your riding things?"
"In the car." Webb replied.
"Well, you might want to change here. I don't think you are the type to change in the stables." Anna joked.
"Ok, be right back." Webb said. He went to his car and came back with his clothes.
"You can change in there." Anna said pointing to the master bedroom.
"Be right back." Webb smiled. As Webb changed, into a similar pair of jodhpurs and a U.S. Navy Shirt, no doubt something he had gotten from Rabb, he surveyed her bedroom. Tastefully decorated, family pictures and the usual. He noticed a black and white picture of a couple.
"Who are these people?" He called from the bedroom.
"What people?" Anna replied knocking on the door. "Can I come in?"
"Yes, these people." Webb said holding the picture.
"Oh those are my grandparents, Salvatore and Isabella.
"Really." Webb stated.
"Yep, they were pretty cool." Anna said.
"They look nice." Webb said. "He looks familiar."
"Are you ready?" Anna asked changing the subject.
"Yes, should I leave this here?" Webb asked pointing to his bag.
"Well do you plan on coming back here?" Anna said with a smile.
"I don't know. Am I?" Webb said.
"Sure why not. We have to finish our game." Anna laughed. "Ok, I just need to get an extra saddle from downstairs." They went down to the unit below to retrieve the saddle.
"Hello Miss Anna." The foreman said. He was a small man about 60ish.
"Hi Marco, it's looking good." Anna smiled.
"Thank you. The men will be back soon." Marco replied.
"Well I just need to get something. I'll be out of your way in a second." Anna smiled.
"No rush." Marco smiled.
"Be right back." Anna said walking off, leaving Webb standing there with the foreman.
"Who are you?" Marco asked.
"Her friend." Webb replied.
"Oh, she's a nice girl. Remember that" Marco said in a protective tone standing a hair away from Webb.
"Ah I know that." Webb said realizing this older man had just threatened him.
"Marco what are you doing?" Anna asked coming back into the room carrying a saddle.
"Nothing bella. Have fun." Marco said backing away from Webb.
"Bye." Anna said and they started to leave.
"Let me take that for you." Webb offered.
"Thanks." Anna smiled. As they walked to the parking area, Anna lagged a few paces behind to check Webb out a bit. Not bad, she said to herself as she admired the view.
"What are you doing?" Webb asked as he turned back to look at her. "And who was that guy?"
"Oh huh what?" Anna said realizing she had been caught. "Marco is a nice old man who happened to come from the same area of Italy as my grandparents. He's a bit protective." Anna laughed.
"I gathered." Webb replied. "So do you want to take my car or yours?"
"Mine." Anna said pointing to Hummer.
"Last night you were in an Audi." Webb stated.
"Yeah but I don't take my Roadster to the stables." Anna laughed.
"You drive a Hummer? I have a feeling you are full of surprises." Webb laughed.
"You have no idea." Anna laughed and tossed Webb the keys.
"You want me to drive?" Webb asked.
"Sure why not?" Anna said.
COURTLAND FARMS
With Webb at the wheel and Anna giving directions they made it out to Manassas in record time. Once at the stables Anna introduced Webb to the people there.
"Anna, whose horse am I going to ride?" Webb asked.
"Mine." Anna replied.
"You have two? Webb asked.
"Actually three." Anna replied. "This is Elsa, this is Rick and this is Sammy."
"You named your horses after the characters in Casablanca?" Webb laughed.
"Sure why not? Classic is always best." Anna smiled. "Let's saddle up. You can ride Rick, Sammy's a bit timid, and only I ride Elsa."
They saddled the horses and took off for the trails. Riding through the Manassas battlefields and woods was always a thrill. It was a fun way to go through history.
"You're good." Anna commented.
"I told you I competed." Webb smiled. "What's that?" He asked pointing to a marker, and he rode over to it.
"Clay, don't go…" Anna began but it was too late. Rick reared up throwing Webb to the ground. "…There"
"What in the world?" Webb said getting up, brushing himself off and remounting.
"That's an old grave marker of a Confederate soldier. The horses always get spooked when they get to close. Sorry I should have warned you before we left." Anna replied.
"It's fine." Webb laughed.
"Do you want to go back?" Anna asked.
"Not at all." Webb smiled.
"Great, how about we do some jumps?" Anna asked.
"Lay on McDuff." Webb said repeating her words from last night.
Anna led him to an open area where rails for jumping were set up. They took turns giving each other jumping routines, trying to make each one more difficult. After a while Anna got down off of Elsa and gave her some carrots. Webb rode over to Anna and dismounted as well.
"You ride very well." Webb commented.
"Thanks Clay, you're not so bad yourself. You're the first person, aside from me, that can do that routine flawlessly." Anna smiled.
"How often do you get out here?" Webb asked.
"I try to come at least once a week. I miss them. I usually bring my nephews out once a month. They are too small yet but I want them to get used to being around horses." Anna added.
"I sometimes get to ride when I go out to my mother's. Otherwise I don't get to as nearly as much as I would like." Webb stated.
"You're more than welcome to come here anytime." Anna said with a smile as she mounted Elsa again. "We better head back."
"Thanks." Webb said smiling and mounting as well.
They got back to the stables and cooled down their mounts. After everything was settled they rode back to Reston. Once again Webb drove and they chatted during the drive.
"Want to stop and pick up a pizza?" Webb suggested.
"Clay I grew up in Brooklyn Heights, do you really think I eat Virginia pizza?" Anna laughed.
"Brooklyn Heights huh?" Webb smiled. "I didn't know that."
"Yeah, after my dad retired my parents sold the house and moved to the city." Anna replied.
"Anna may I ask you something?" Webb asked.
"Sure." Anna said.
"Why didn't you tell me who your father was?" Webb asked.
"Did you check me out on your spy machine?" Anna asked.
"Not exactly. I used Google." Webb said innocently.
"So you want the Paparini family history huh?" Anna said.
"If you're willing." Webb said taking a hand off the wheel and grasping hers.
"McDonald's first, history after." Anna said pointing to the golden arches.
"Fast food?" Webb said with a laugh.
"You betchya." Anna replied.
They went through the drive through and ordered. They then pulled into a park and ate. When they were finished, Anna turned to Webb and said "Here we go."