Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

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Beginnings

Chapter Six: The Marine and the Trainer

By Ann Parker

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A few months had passed. Harm and Mac started their wedding plans, such as who was going to be Best Man and Maid of Honor. They had decided to wait until after Harriet gave birth to have the ceremony. Everyone was excited and tried to give as much input as possible.

Lisa became a regular visitor to Headquarters, constantly checking up on Harm and Sturgis' behavior and taking someone or another out to lunch. She was basically over Dan and only thought of him when he would leave a message on her cell phone. If it wasn't such a hassle to change her number, she would. But all of her other clients had this number too, so she just dealt with it. She figured he would give up eventually. Besides, there was someone else she was developing feelings for.

~~~~~

1130 EST

2 May 2003

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Lisa strolled into Headquarters, receiving the customary glances from a few of the men. She rolled her eyes, you would have thought they would have seen her enough. Ignoring their looks at her kacki capris and black tank top, she headed over to Harm's office and knocked on the door.

She usually would ask him out to lunch first, even if she really wanted to go out with someone else. Harm sensed this and often said he was busy.

"Hmm, no answer," she mumbled to herself and turned around to find Mac.

"Lisa?" asked Harriet, stopping her on her mission for a lunch date.

"Hi Harriet, have you seen Harm?" she asked.

"The Commander is with the SecNav this afternoon, and Mac, Sturgis, and Bud are all in court," Harriet replied. She noticed a little sparkle of light in Lisa's green eyes and grinned to herself. "Looking for someone to eat lunch with?" she asked. Lisa nodded. "Well, I know a certain Gunnery Sergeant that probably has some free time."

Lisa blushed slightly, "Harriet…"

The blond Lieutenant smiled and shoved her slightly. "Go on, Lisa. Hey, why don't you invite him to come to dinner at our place tonight too? Everyone is coming to talk about the wedding," she continued.

"Fine, fine," Lisa replied, shaking her head. Lisa headed over to Gunny's desk and leaned against it, waiting for him to notice.

After a minute he looked up and smiled. "Lisa! Hey," he greeted.

"Free for lunch?" she asked with a smile, hiding her nervousness. Every time she was around Gunny she felt butterflies in her stomach, but she was afraid of starting something with him. Afraid of letting someone else into her heart.

Gunny grinned. "Absolutely, just give me a second to finish this paper work," he replied. She nodded and waited for a few minutes until he was ready.

"Finished," he stated and they headed out of the office.

~~~~~

1200 EST

Local Restaurant

Washington DC

"This is a really nice place," commented Lisa as they made their way to the table. They were eating at a local café, enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

"I'm glad you like it," replied Gunny. They smiled at each other and began to eat their lunch. Lisa had some California rolls and a small salad while Gunny enjoyed a Cajun-style chicken sandwich and fries. An awkward silence fell upon them, both uncertain of how to act.

Finally, Gunny couldn't take it anymore. "So, has the transition from San Diego to DC been hard?" he asked, attempting small talk.

"It's taken a little getting used to. Like the weather, usually it would be much warmer over there," she replied as she picked at her salad. She looked up slightly and caught his eyes. He offered her a small smile and she smiled back.

"I know what you mean. When I came from New Mexico, it took a little getting used to," he replied.

"You're from New Mexico?" she asked. They finally found something to talk about. Gunny nodded.

"Yep. I was a deputy sheriff there for a few years," he added.

"Really? What made you join the Marines?" She asked, her interest increasing by the moment. Maybe getting to know Gunny wouldn't be a bad thing.

"Well, actually I was a Marine first, but when I was working a homicide-drug ring case, I was shot by one of my own men. I decided the Marines were a better class of people so I got my commission reinstated," he answered. He was glad to see her interest, maybe she would start to open up. He really wanted to get to know her.

"You got shot? Where?" she asked. She watched as Gunny slightly blushed.

"Um…my backside," he replied. Lisa couldn't help to slightly laugh.

"Oh I see…too bad you weren't one of my patients," she giggled and then immediately blushed at her statement.

"That would have been nice," he replied with a grin, making her blush further. She bit her lip and looked down at her food. After eating another piece of sushi, she found something to change the topic.

"So, do you have any siblings?" she asked.

Gunny nodded, "I have four sisters. Maria is the oldest. She's quite fiery and still treats me like I'm five years old. Then there is my little sister, Valerie. She's a great kid, if only she would listen to my advice." He smiled and Lisa laughed.

"What kind? Because if it is about guys, then trust me it will never happen. I never listened to Hank," she commented. "Believe me, if I had, I never would have been with Dan in the first place."

Gunny nodded slightly. "A real bad boy was he?" he asked, tentatively. He wanted to talk to her about, well anything, but he didn't want to push her.

She shrugged. "Not really, but he was a client. That is exactly why I shouldn't have gotten involved with him. Not to mention that when I was helping him, he had a girlfriend. The warning signs should have been going off right then, but they apparently malfunctioned," she replied.

"Then I'm glad I wasn't your patient," he stated. Lisa looked at him and smiled. She really felt she could trust Gunny. Maybe she should risk it once more.

"Me too," she smiled. They finished eating and got ready to leave.

"Hey, you want to go to dinner with me at Bud and Harriet's? We are all getting together to discuss the wedding," she asked as they headed back to her car, even though he was driving.

"That's sound great," he replied. "Pick you up at 1700?"

"Works for me," she answered. With that they headed back to Headquarters.

~~~~~

1657 EST

Lisa's Apartment

North of Union Station

Gunny knocked on Lisa's apartment door and was met with a shout to come in. He opened the door and heard Aretha Franklin singing. He looked around for Lisa as "Natural Woman" played, but didn't find her anywhere.

"I'll be ready in just a minute," she said, poking her head out of the bathroom.

"That's fine," he replied and took a seat on a barstool. As he waited he began to hear her sing along with the song and smiled. No wonder little AJ wanted her to sing to him, she had a beautiful voice. His thought was interrupted when Lisa's phone rang.

"Do you want me to get that?" he asked.

"No, that's okay, let the machine get it. It's probably Harm just making sure I'm on my way," she yelled from the bathroom.

Unfortunately it wasn't. "Lisa, it's Dan. Listen you have to talk to me sometime, we can work this out. Please call me."

"Ready," she stated and walked out of the bathroom, ignoring the message. Gunny watched as she quickly went to the machine and deleted the message.

"You okay?" he asked. She nodded, putting up a front. She really didn't want to talk about Dan or think about how he got her new home number.

She went to the closet and grabbed a coat, which allowed Gunny time to look at her. She wasn't wearing anything fancy, just a black skirt and red top, but it still looked stunning. "Um, Gunny?" she asked. She received no response and smiled. It was nice to know she could have this effect on him. He was one man she didn't mind starring at her. She snapped her fingers in front of him, "Victor!"

"Huh, what?" he asked, snapping out of his daze. Lisa smiled and grabbed her purse off the counter.

"Let's go," she replied. Gunny nodded and headed to the door. She followed him, letting herself to admire him out of his uniform. Those jeans and black top looked great on him. She smiled to herself. She locked up and they headed for Great Falls.

~~~~~

1730 EST

The Roberts' Residence

Great Falls, Virginia

"Where is she?" asked Harm, starring out the window. Harriet smiled and walked carefully over to him, her stomach quite big for a little over six months pregnant.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she and Gunny will be here shortly," she stated. She smiled as Harm looked at her questionably.

"Gunny is with her?" he asked. Harriet nodded.

"They went out to lunch today and I encouraged her to invite him to come tonight. Is there anything wrong with that?" she asked, daring him to contradict a pregnant woman.

Harm smiled. "Actually no, they make a good match. In fact, of the single guys I know he is probably the best fit for her." He meant that too, he wanted Lisa to find a great guy for a change. Gunny was perfect.

"Who is a good fit for whom?" asked AJ, walking over to them.

"Gunny and Lisa," replied Harm. AJ smiled, he noticed how his office clerk was behaving around Lisa and couldn't agree even more.

"Okay, my ears are burning, who was talking about me?" asked Lisa, walking into the room with Gunny.

"I was, I was just wondering on when you were going to show up," said Harm, quickly covering everyone's tracks. Lisa nodded, deciding to let it slide.

"Well, now that everyone is here let's eat," stated Bud. All went to the dining room and enjoyed a great meal. Harm noticed Lisa and Gunny stealing glances at each other. All he hoped was that no one ended up hurt.

Later they went to the living room to discuss the wedding.

"Um, before we start to plan out details, Bud and I have an announcement to make," remarked Harriet. Everyone turned to face their hosts. "We know the sex of the baby."

"Really? What is it?" asked Mac, speaking for everyone. Bud and Harriet smiled as they looked around at their family.

"It's a girl," replied Bud. Cheers erupted and everyone congratulated them. "We're not quite finished," he said, quieting the group.

"Lisa," began Harriet. Lisa turned to her and nodded for her to continue. "Bud and I wouldn't have made it though his recovery if it hadn't been for you. You truly changed our lives and for that we would like to name our daughter after you."

Lisa sat silently for a second before smiling brightly. "Oh, you guys," she mumbled as she hugged them. "I would be honored." The rest of the party smiled as they watched the three.

When she pulled away and took her seat a few tears could be seen. "Here," Gunny handed her a Kleenex. She smiled and wiped her eyes.

"Thanks." She smiled once more and then turned to the rest. "Well, before I start to cry more, shall we continue the wedding plans?"

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