ON THE TRAIN

Thanks to Lexxi for the suggestion of putting the songs at the end of each chapter.

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LITTLE AJ'S HEAD

Now how did I get here? Little AJ wondered.  He was walking around Union Station in his pajamas. You would think someone would notice that I am here.  All of a sudden he saw a woman racing through the station. That looks like Miss Bobbie.

Bobbie Latham was hurrying to meet the group, no one knew she was joining them.  She received a ticket in the mail and was told her friends from JAG would be there as well.  She was running late because she had to stop off at her office first and leave some instructions for her staff.  She approached the group although they did not see her coming.  She was about to call out good morning but instead…

Pardon me, boy
Is that the Chattanooga choo choo?
(yes...Yes...) Track twenty-nine
Boy, you can gimme a shine
Can you afford
To board Chattanooga choo choo?
I've got my fare
And just a trifle to spare
You leave the Union Station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner
Nothing could be finer
Than to have your ham an' eggs at Lindy's Diner
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Then you know that Philly is not very far
Shovel all the coal in
Gotta keep it rollin'
Woo, woo, Chattanooga there you are
So Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Chattanooga choo choo

"Bobbie, what are you doing here?" Sturgis asked,

"I got a ticket in the mail saying to meet you all here." Bobbie replied.

"Have we figured out who our benefactor is?" Mac asked.

"Not a clue," Meredith replied.

"Well since we're all here, maybe we should get on the train." Harm suggested.

They started to pick up their things when a porter called out, "Chegwidden!"

"I'm AJ Chegwidden, how can I help you?" AJ asked.

"If you and your group will follow me, we have a private car for you." The porter said.

"A what?" Sam said, "You're kidding."

"No ma'am, please follow me." The porter replied.

The group followed the porter to the second to last car of the train.  It was obvious that it did not fit in with the rest of the cars.  It was almost a throw back to the Victorian trains of another time.

"This is beautiful," Coates said in awe.

"Is that velvet?" Harriet asked touching the seat.

"I think so," Meredith stated.

"This is too wild." Tiner said.

"And you have no idea who set this all up?" Ashlyn asked.

"Not at all, I suggest we just enjoy it." AJ smiled.

"Will you look at this," Harm said.

Little AJ hopped on the train with them.  He still couldn't understand why no one noticed him.  He looked around the car.  The seats were red velvet with gold accents.  The windows were etched with beautiful designs and at one end of the car was a little bar complete with breakfast.  In the front was a section of seats, two by two.  Towards the back was a circular banquette with a table.  The men sat in the front of the car, while the ladies opted for the table area in the back.  Little AJ walked back and forth not really understanding the conversations.

"So, how are things with you and Gunny?" Harriet asked.

"They're going well." Ashlyn smiled.

"What about you, Sam? Anyone special?" Meredith asked.

"Not really," Sam shrugged.

"Harriet, how are things going with Bud?" Mac asked.

"Better than ever," Harriet beamed. "What about you and Harm? Now, that he has his memories in tact?"

"Our friendship is on the right road." Mac said with an inward smile.

"Would you listen to yourselves?" Meredith admonished. "Going well, not really, on the right road, what are you talking about here? A car trip or the possibilities of love and romance?"

"Meredith, what are you talking about? I don't have anyone." Sam stated.

"Same with me," Coates added.

"None of us have really found the right person," Mac commented

"I can't seem to figure out what I want." Bobbie stated.

"Girls, take it from me.  Love changes everything." Meredith began…

Love, Love changes everything
Hands and faces,
Earth and sky,
Love, Love changes everything
How you live and
How you die
Love Can make the summer fly,
Or a night Seem like a lifetime.
Yes, Love, Love changes everything
How you I tremble, At his name.
Nothing in the World will ever
Be the same.
Love, Love changes everything
Days are longer,
Words mean more.
Love, Love changes everything
Pain is deeper, than before.
Love, Will turn your world around,
And that world Will last for ever.
Yes, Love, Love changes everything,
Brings you glory, Brings you shame.
Nothing in the World will ever
Be the same.
Off, Into the world we go,
Planning futures, Shaping years.
Love, Bursts in, and suddenly
All our wisdom Disappears.
Love, Makes fools of everyone
All the rules We make are broken.
Yes, Love, Love changes everyone.
Live or perish In its flame.
Love will never, Never let you
Be the same.

What is she talking about? Little AJ wondered.  How can your face and hands change? Grownups are weird, you can't change your hands. They are stuck to your arms. And changing the sky? The teacher at Sunday school said God made the sky, only he can change it. These adults have a lot to learn. He walked to the front of the car where the men were sitting. They confused him even more.

"Bobbie being here was a big surprise," Harm stated.

"I was shocked. I haven't seen her in a long time." Sturgis said.

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" Gunny asked.

"I wish I knew," Sturgis sighed.

"Excuse me, would anyone care for some coffee?" The porter interrupted.

"That would be nice," AJ replied.

"If you don't mind asking, how do you all know each other?" The porter asked.

"We'll the majority of us are in the navy.  Gunny here's a marine and Clayton here works for the State Department." Harm replied.

"Really, in the navy? What made you join?" The porter asked with genuine interest.

"Well that's easy…" Tiner replied and the Navy men stood up…

We joined the Navy to see the world
And what did we see?
We saw the sea
We saw the Pacific and the Atlantic
But the Atlantic isn't romantic
And the Pacific isn't what it's cracked up to be
We joined the Navy to do or die
But we didn't do and we didn't die
We were much too busy looking at the ocean and the sky
And what did we see?
We saw the sea
We saw the Atlantic and the Pacific
But the Pacific isn't terrific
And the Atlantic isn't what it's cracked up to be
They tell us that the Admiral
Is as nice as he can be
But we never see the Admiral
Because the Admiral has never been to sea
We joined the Navy to see the girls
And what did we see?
We saw the sea
Instead of a girl or two in a taxi
We were compelled to look at the Black Sea
Seeing the Black Sea isn't what it's cracked up to be
Sailing, sailing home again
To see the girls upon the village green
Then across the foam again
To see the other seas we haven't seen
We owe the Navy an awful lot
For they taught us how to do the Sailor's Hornpipe
And they showed us how to tie a sailor's knot
But more than that, they showed us the sea
We never get seasick sailing the ocean
We don't object to feeling the motion
We're never seasick but we are awful sick of sea

"But you really do love it?" The porter asked.

"You better believe it!" They all replied.

"What about you gunny?" The porter asked.

"Me, I am proud to be a United States Marine," Gunny said with gusto….

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
On the land as on the sea.
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

"And you just work for the State Department." The porter said unimpressed.

"Yeah, I just work for them." Webb replied sarcastically. The porter walked away and returned a few moments later with their coffee.

BACK TO REALITY – 7am

"How's he doing?" Harriet asked walking into Little AJ's room.

"He's still has a fever," Ashlyn replied. "But he is also having one hell of a dream.  His REM stage is unbelievable."

"Is that ok?" Harriet asked with concern.

"It's fine, don't worry." Ashlyn smiled.

"Can I bring you some coffee?" Harriet offered.

"That would be wonderful." Ashlyn said. "Listen, I'm off from work today. You guys go head to work. I can stay."

"Ashlyn this is so nice of you. We really appreciate it." Harriet said.

"It's my pleasure, that's what friends are for." Ashlyn smiled.

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Song list

Chattanooga Choo Choo – Glenn Miller

Love Changes Everything (Aspects of Love) Andrew Lloyd Webber

We Joined the Navy (Follow the Fleet) – Irving Berlin

The Marine Hymn - LZ Phillips and Jacques Offenbach