TINER AND COATES

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JAG OFFICES

After getting up the nerve, thanks to Sam, Jason Tiner finally made a move on Jennifer Coates.  He stumbled a bit but eventually got it together.

"Jen, can I talk to you a minute?" Tiner asked.

"What's up Tiner?" Coates replied.

"Well, I was wondering if you've ever been to Inner Harbor." Tiner stated.

"Yes, I have. It's very nice." Coates replied.

"Oh, ok. That's good to know." Tiner said.

"I better get back to work." Coates stated.

"Wait a second." Tiner said. I can do this.         

"Was there something else?" Coates asked.

"You wouldn't want to have dinner with me, would you?" Tiner asked.

"I think that would be nice." Coates replied.

"That's ok. I understand." Tiner said walking away.

"Tiner, I said yes." Coates laughed.

"You did?" Tiner asked. "That's great. So when do you want to go?"

"Well, I'm free tonight." Coates replied.

"Tonight, so soon?" Tiner said nervously.

"Tiner, are you sure you want to go out?" Coates asked.

"Yes, I am.  But I expected you to say no." Tiner replied.

"I didn't, so how about dinner tonight? Coates asked.

"Ok, I'll meet you, no we'll go from here, no I'll pick you up." Tiner finally said.

"Sounds good," Coates smiled. "What time?"

"Time, good question. What time should we eat?" Tiner asked excitedly.

"Since it's dinner, how about seven." Coates suggested.

"Ok, I'll pick you up at 6:30." Tiner replied.

"I'll see you then." Coates smiled and went back to her desk.

"Coates, wait a second." Tiner called after her.

"What's wrong?" Coates asked.

"I don't know where you live." Tiner replied.

She gave Tiner the address and then went back to work.  Tiner immediately picked up the phone and called Sam.

"Danaher," Sam answered.

"Sam, it's Jason." Tiner said.

"Hey, what's going on?" Sam asked.

"I can't meet you for dinner tonight." Tiner said.

"That's ok." Sam said. "What have you got going on?"

"I'm having dinner with Jen." Tiner said proudly.

"You did it." Sam yelled into the phone. "Good for you."

"I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks." Tiner said.

"Listen you have a great time tonight, I want details tomorrow." Sam laughed.

"I don't know if that's a good thing. I mean should I talk about it?" Tiner asked.

"Jason, I was kidding." Sam laughed. "Have a good time."

"Thanks, Sam." Tiner said and hung up.

Sam sat back and smiled.  She was very happy for Tiner; he was really like a kid brother to her.  She felt a little sad; Ashlyn had Gunny, Jason now had Jen and Sam was going to be the fifth wheel. That never bothered her before; she wasn't sure why it was suddenly bothering her now.  What ever it was she shook it off and went back to writing her column.  This week she was not doing an informative or interview piece, since Valentine's was coming up, she decided to do a piece on love. While she was writing, Tiner called her at least a dozen more times about his big date.  Sam had to laugh, Jason is so cute.

TUTTO BENE RESTAURANT

"This is a really nice restaurant." Coates said.

"I'm glad you like it, Sam suggested it." Tiner said.

"Who's Sam?" Coates asked.

"You remember Sam Danaher." Tiner replied.

"The writer, sure, what does she have to do with this?" Coates asked.

"She's like a big sister. I asked her for a nice place." Tiner said.

"Well, she did good." Coates smiled.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Tiner asked.

"Anything," Coates said. "Have you ever been out to sea?"

"No, I haven't. Maybe one day." Tiner said. "How did you like it?"

"It was ok, but I'm glad to be back on solid ground now." Coates replied.

"You've been though a lot." Tiner said. "I don't know if I could handle all that."

"Are you talking about my childhood or being with Lt. Roberts and then Lt. Singer?" Coates asked.

"Well, anyone who has to deal with Lt. Singer, should get a bronze star." Tiner joked.

"She's definitely a strange one." Coates laughed. "She's actually mean."

"Well, Lt. Sims took care of that at JAG." Tiner smiled.

"How?" Coates asked with interest.

"It was last year or so, Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie were missing and the Lieutenant was telling people." Tiner began. "Lt. Sims got very angry with her and they went into an office.  I am not sure what happened but I heard a punch and a few hours later, Lt. Singer had a shiner."

"Lt. Sims, belted Singer?" Coates laughed, "I wish I had seen it."

"I know what you mean. I was actually surprised that it was Lt. Sims to be the one to do it. She's so nice." Tiner commented.

"It's always the nice ones." Coates replied.

They sat there in an awkward silence.  Tiner wanted to call Sam and ask her what to do, but realized how stupid that would look. 

"So what looks good?" Coates asked.

"Everything from where I'm sitting." Tiner smiled.

"Thank you." Coates replied. "My view's no so bad either."

"I was really nervous about asking you to dinner." Tiner said quickly.

"I'm glad you did." Coates stated. "I was wondering when you would get around to it."

"Why were you wondering?" Tiner asked.

"Jason, you offered to show me how to use my ID." Coates laughed. "It was sort of like showing me how to breathe; it was something that was a no brainer."

"I guess." Tiner blushed.

"Don't be embarrassed, it was nice." Coates smiled.

The waiter came over and they placed their orders.  They enjoyed the meal and talked about their lives and goals.  Coates had a street smarts about her that Tiner didn't and Tiner had a gentleness about him that Coates had never seen before.

"Everyone at JAG is so nice." Coates said. "It's like on big family."

"We are pretty close. I never thought a work place could be like that." Tiner replied.

"Well, everyone except Lt. Singer." Coates laughed.

"The Lieutenant didn't have time for friends." Tiner replied. "I feel bad for her."

"That's what's so nice about you Jason. You care about people." Coates said.

"Thank you, but you care about people too." Tiner said.

"I'm learning to.  I didn't have much experience with that growing up." Coates said. "Seeing everyone here makes me realize what I missed in family."

"I'm glad you're part of the family now." Tiner smiled.

"So am I." Coates said. "So am I."

"Jen, can we do this again?" Tiner asked.

"I'd like that." Coates replied.

"I was thinking, how about a full date?" Tiner asked boldly.

"What's a full date?" Coates asked.

"I was thinking of going to the Kennedy Center to see something, and then dinner after." Tiner suggested, thank god Sam came up with that idea.

"Sheer Madness is playing there, I hear it's hysterical." Coates said.

"Then I'll get tickets." Tiner said. "What night is good for you?"

"Any night you ask." Coates smiled.

They finished dinner and walked around for a while.  When they got back to the car, Tiner opened the door for her and helped her in.  He drove her back to her place, once again opened the door and helped her out.  He then escorted her to the door.

"This was really nice." Tiner said.

"It was." Coates said.

"I'm looking forward to the next time." Tiner said.

"It's going to be fun." Coates replied.

"Well, good night." Tiner said and turned to go to his car.

"Jason," Coates called.

"Yes?" Tiner asked walking back.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening." Coates said and kissed him.

It seemed as if Tiner had been hit with a two by four.  He was in a daze; he just looked at Coates with a boyish grin.  Coates stood there smiling at him.  After a minute, Tiner leaned in and kissed her again.

"Good night Jen. I'll see you tomorrow." Tiner said and went to his car.

Coates walked into her building and up to her apartment.  Things were finally going right in her life.

MAC'S APARTMENT

Mac was staring at her phone waiting for it to ring.  Harm had said he was going to call and so far he hadn't.  Mac wasn't worried, but she was impatient.  Finally her phone rang and by the caller ID, she knew it was Harm.

"Where have you been flyboy?" Mac asked.

"I had to get a new filter for my car." Harm replied.

"Did you get it?" Mac asked.

"Yeah, after I went to the third store." Harm said. "You cannot imagine what it was like people don't carry the parts."

"Harm, I don't want to talk about your car right now." Mac laughed.

"What do you want to talk about?" Harm asked.

"I don't want to talk; I want you to come over." Mac stated.

"Mac, it's kind of late." Harm replied.

"So, spend the night." Mac encouraged.

"I'm all the way across town, maybe tomorrow." Harm said.

"Tomorrow I am out of town." Mac informed him.

"Then the next night." Harm said.

"What about tonight?" Mac asked.

"I just said I'm all the way across town." Harm stated.

"Harm, you'll drive all over to get a filter for your car, but not across town to see me." Mac stated. "Very nice."

"Mac, come on." Harm said. "It's late."

"So, you've come over later than this." Mac said.

"I know, but I'll get there and you'll be busy." Harm said.

"Doing what?" Mac asked.

"Well turning off the lights." Harm said.

"Turning off the lights? What are you talking about?" Mac questioned.

"First you are going to have to turn off the kitchen light, then the guest bedroom…" Harm began.

"Harm, how do you know those lights are on?" Mac asked looking around her apartment.

"You can see those rooms from the street." Harm laughed.

"Where are you?" Mac said getting up.

"Parking my car," Harm replied. "Do you think I would pass up a night with my favorite marine?"

"Get up here." Mac laughed.

"I'm on my way." Harm said.

Harm walked into the apartment and immediately took Mac into his arms and kissed her. 

"You're mean." Mac said.

"Why?" Harm smiled.

"Couldn't you just say you were coming over?" Mac asked.

"And let you think you get me without a fight?" Harm replied.

"You want a fight?" Mac said with a raised eyebrow.

"No, never mind." Harm laughed. "You know what I want?"

"What's that?" Mac asked with a smile.

"Something to eat, I'm hungry." Harm said.

"Harm, you are something else." Mac laughed.

Harm went to the kitchen and grabbed a bite to eat.  When he was done, he and Mac went to bed and slept soundly in each other's arms.