The Dating Game

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. If I did, do you think I'd let them do THAT in the season finale? ;-)

Summary: Gunny goes on the Dating Game and meets some … interesting women. This does not take into account the events of the last three eps. In my world, Gunny has returned to JAG HQ after his time in Afghanistan.

Television Studio

Burbank, CA

"Have you seen the bachelor for today's game?" The makeup girls were talking.

"Gorgeous! But so serious."

"I'd find a way to make him smile." They all giggled at that.

"I wonder if he's killed anyone?" They stopped talking as Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez walked in and sat in a chair. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the chatter had ceased when he entered.

Victor couldn't believe he was going on the Dating Game. The show's producers had wanted a Marine with recent combat experience to appear on the game. His former CO from Afghanistan had suggested him and the Admiral agreed to let him go.

Still musing about the situation, the stage manager came in and explained the rules to him.

"You get to ask three questions," the young man said, "and each girl will have an opportunity to answer."

"Okay."

"You'll be fine. Don't worry." One of the crew called the manager. He looked at his watch. "You've got about ten minutes before we call you. Let Jackie over there know if you need anything, water or sodas. Good luck."

Minutes later, the theme music started playing. "And here's the host, Chuck Woolery."

"Hello everybody. We have a special Dating Game salute to the military today. A genuine war hero, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez is our bachelor. And he will be selecting a date from three lovely ladies.

"Bachelorette Number One." The camera focused on a pretty redhead. "Scarlett Mathews is a school teacher from Pasadena.

"Bachelorette Number Two." A petite brunette. "Hailing from San Bernadino, Samantha Wolfe is a writer for the San Bernadino County Sun.

"And Bachelorette Number Three." The camera panned to a cute blonde. " Dr. Ashlyn Madison is a resident in the ER at UCLA Hospital."

"And now let's meet our bachelor. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez is currently stationed at JAG Headquarters. Before that, he served with distinction in Afghanistan. Victor was also a law enforcement officer in New Mexico between stints with the Marines."

As the audience applauded and cheered, Victor walked in and took his seat.

"Bachelorettes, say hello to Victor."

"Hello, Victor." "Hi Victor." "Hello, Victor."

"Hello, ladies." Victor managed to say without stuttering.

"I think we all know the rules of this game," Chuck said. "Victor will ask three questions. Each of you will get a chance to answer them. After we finish question-and-answer, we'll take a break, and Victor will decide who to go with. Are you ready, Victor?"

"Yes, sir." Victor was relieved that Chuck didn't snicker at his instinctive use of the word "sir". "What's your idea of a romantic evening?"

Scarlett answered first. "An evening spent with a man about whom I care deeply. What we do isn't as important as who I'm with."

Samantha said, "A candlelight dinner, a movie and whatever else might happen." The audience hooted at her suggestive tone.

"A midnight walk on the beach," was Ashlyn's answer.

"Okay, next question," Victor said. "If you were a color, which would you be and why?"

It was Samantha's turn. "Fire engine red, because I'm a firecracker."

Ashlyn answered, "Lavender, it's calm and relaxing."

"Green, the color of new life and hope," Scarlett said.

"And finally, what's your favorite fruit and why?" Victor asked his final question.

Ashlyn responded, "Coconuts, it's hard work to get them open, but worth the effort."

Samantha stated, "Oranges. Feeling the juices run down your chin is what summer is all about."

Scarlett paused before finally saying, "Red delicious apples. It may sound silly, but it reminds me of when I was growing up and visiting my grandmother's farm."

Chuck cut in at this time. "Thank you, bachelorettes. We'll take a quick commercial break while Victor makes his decision."

Commercial break – for the new movie Pirates of the Caribbean featuring Trevor Goddard…

"Welcome back," and Chuck walked up to Victor. "So, have you made your choice?"

"Yes, Chuck," he answered. "It was very difficult, but I have to pick Bachelorette Number One."

"Okay, Victor. Before we introduce you to your dream date, meet the girls you turned down." Chuck walked Samantha around the wall. "This is Samantha Wolfe." When they got next to Victor, Sam grabbed him by the head and planted a deep kiss on him. "Just wanted to show you what you were missing out on." As she walked off the stage, Victor had a dazed look on his face.

Chuck continued with the introductions. "This is Ashlyn Madison." They smiled at each other and shook hands. After she walked off the stage, Victor noticed she had slipped a piece of paper in his hand with her phone number on it – it read, In case your date doesn't work out… He shook his head and chuckled.

"And, now the bachelorette you have chosen , Scarlett Mathews." Finally, Scarlett came around the barrier. With one look at her, Victor was transfixed. He took her hand and shivered at the almost electric shock of that first contact. Scarlett's knees wobbled and she fell into the chair that was provided just in time.

"Wow," commented Chuck, "Looks like there are some sparks already between you two." Victor could only nod as the host began to describe the date. "You and your date will be going to Malibu. First, you'll be eating dinner at the exclusive Le Jardin restaurant. After dinner, you'll enjoy a show at the Los Angeles Civic Center – Blue Man Group. And then, a midnight horseback along the beach!" The audience clapped and cheered as Victor and Scarlett left the studio hand in hand, to begin their dream date.

Le Jardin Restaurant

Malibu, California

Victor and Scarlett walked into the restaurant. He held the chair out for her.

How sweet, Scarlett thought. Now that they were out of the studio, she had a chance to look closely at him. He was darkly handsome, but something sad lurked in his eyes. She wondered why that was.

"So, what age children do you teach?" Victor asked.

"Elementary – 5th grade,"Scarlett answered. She grew animated as she described her class. "You have to be on your toes with 11 year old boys sometimes, but they're really good kids for the most part."

Victor chuckled, "I remember when I was that age. I gave my teachers some pretty bad moments back then."

"That wasn't very nice," Scarlett teased. "I hope you apologized."

"Of course," Victor responded in the same vein.

Dinner passed quickly. Victor was surprised how well he and Scarlett got along. They got to talking about their families; Scarlett came from a tight-knit family as well.

Then it was time to go to the show. Victor didn't want to spoil the mood by going somewhere crowded.

"Do you mind if we have a little change of plan?"

"What do you want to do?" Scarlett suppressed the feeling of disappointment. Well, she hoped he let her down nicely.

"Let's skip the concert and take the horseback ride on the beach. I just don't feel like being around crowds right now."

Scarlett let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "That would be nice." She looked at Victor, and saw the grin light up his face. "Very nice."

Fifteen minutes later they were on the beach, riding side by side. The sun was setting on the horizon, turning the water fiery orange. They stopped their horses and admired the beauty of nature.

"Want to walk?" Victor dismounted easily, and helped Scarlett from her horse. She stood in the circle of his strong arms, which lingered around her waist longer than absolutely necessary. They began to stroll along the beach, leading the horses behind them.

After the sun went down, Scarlett shivered in the cooler air. Victor noticed and put his jacket over her shoulders.

"Thank you, Victor,"she said, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Tell me something. Why did you go on that game show? "

Victor looked embarrassed. "My former CO from Afghanistan recommended me to the producers. And my current CO approved it. And since I'm not in a relationship with anyone …"

A sad look crossed his face, erased as quickly as it appeared. Scarlett decided she would ask about that later, if there was a later.

"How about you?" Victor asked.

"One of my girlfriends put me up to it. She says I don't get out enough."

Victor chuckled. "My friends say the same about me."

All too soon it was time to take the horses back and to end the date.

"I know this isn't part of the scripted date, but do you want to come back to my apartment for some coffee?" Scarlett asked.

Victor looked at Scarlett. He could tell this was not something she typically did. He felt a connection with this woman, something he hadn't felt since Fareeza.

"I would love to," he replied.

Following Week

JAG Headquarters

"Welcome back, Gunny," Tiner greeted him as he walked into the bullpen. "I watched the show, boy, you had a tough choice among those girls. How did the date go?"

Gunny just smiled.