Chloe Madison stood on the platform with the rest of newly graduated Marines. Eyes straight ahead, she beamed proudly as the drill instructor pinned an Eagle, Globe and Anchor insignia on her breast, shaking her hand in congratulations. Victorious, she glanced out into the audience, scanning for her family and friends.

There they were, in the middle of the third row. Major General Sarah Mackenzie, Admiral Harmon Rabb, Captain Bud and Harriet Roberts and their children, AJ and Sarah; her father, Kyle Madison, and last but certainly not least, her partner, Kristin McGowan. Catching Mac's eye, she smiled, knowing the older woman would be reminiscing.

Mac smiled at her little sister, reminded of her own graduation from boot camp. It had been the proudest moment of her life, the day she'd graduated she'd joined "The Few." She leaned her head on Harm's shoulder, thinking back to when she'd met Chloe, a scared young girl, and how she'd matured into the young woman now a Private in the Marine Corps.

Kristin grinned and waved surreptitiously to Chloe, who couldn't move from the "standing at attention" position. "I love you!" she mouthed with a smile.

When the Drill Instructors finally dismissed the graduates, Kristin took off running and pounced Chloe with a hug. "I'm so proud of you, *Private*," she giggled.

Chloe threw her arms around the redhead. "Thanks. I can't believe how much I missed you! It was so tough being away from you for all that time!" She pulled away enough to be engulfed in another hug by Mac. She exchanged a high-5 with AJ before draping an arm around Kristin's waist. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's party," she grinned.

Kristin laughed, blushing a little as she saw Harriet take notice of Chloe's arm around her. "Hey," she said, pulling away a little, pushing Chloe playfully, "what's this "we" stuff? I thought Marines were all stoic and stuff. I didn't think ya'll could part-ay!" She raised an eyebrow at Mac for confirmation. "Isn't it against the Corps rules or somethin', General?"

Mac laughed at the easy banter between the young lovers. "You're not dragging me into this, you two. But Kristin...the Corps are the few, the best of the best, and that refers to *everything* we do.

Kristin bit back a lascivious reply and merely grinned. "Well, then, let's get on with it. Where's the shindig, baby?" she asked, turning to Chloe.

"There's a bar not far from here. It's got greasy pizza, old wooden booths, jukeboxes playing oldies, dart boards and pool tables. It's great," Chloe summed up with a laugh.

"All right!" AJ threw in.

"Um, then of course, there's a Generous George's since we have small fry with us," Chloe amended hastily.

Kristin chuckled and leaned over to whisper in Chloe's ear. "This is why we're not having kids for a *long* time."

"Aw, honey, you want to wait?" Chloe teased softly. Turning to the rest of the group, she offered, "Kris and I'll take her car. You can follow us."

"Okay, come on. AJ, Sarah, you're with Mac and me. March!" Harm laughed as Sarah snapped to immediate attention.

"Aye, aye, sir," AJ snapped crisply. He turned to his sister. "What kind of pizza do you want? I want pepperoni."

"Sausage and pineapple!" Sarah answered immediately, always to the contrary. "But I'll get pepperoni if you really want it," she grinned happily. "Hey, Chloe!" she called to the girls as they were walking towards the car. "Can I wear your pin?"

"It's the emblem of the Marine Corps, Sar," Chloe explained patiently. "And you have to promise to be very careful with it, okay?" She started to unpin the badge, when Mac covered her hand.

"I'll let her wear mine. I wouldn't be in as much trouble as you would if she lost it. Would that be okay, Sarah?"

Sarah nodded with a huge smile. "I just wanna practice wearing it, so I can see how it looks. I'm gonna have one someday, y'know," she said, talking to no one in particular.

"No way am I gonna be related to a jarhead," AJ protested. "Mom, Dad, how could you let her do that? Navy's the best!"

"It's her decision," Bud told his son firmly. "Besides, some of the best officers and people I know are Marines. Look at your Aunt Mac. Or what about Chloe?" He grasped his son's shoulder. "Every person has the right to choose the path their life will take."

AJ nodded reluctantly. "But Navy's still better," he shot at his sister before running ahead.

Sarah chased him down and dove at his legs, grabbing one in a tight grip. "Marines rule!" she bellowed. "Take it back!"

Harriet cleared her throat loudly. "Sarah Jane Roberts, act like a lady!"

Sarah sprang up and dusted herself off, glaring at her brother the entire time. "Yes, ma'am."

AJ slowly stood up. "That hurt." He cuffed his sister on the back of the head.

"AJ," Bud warned.

"Sorry, Sarah," AJ apologized half-heartedly.

"This is Chloe's day. The two of you will behave or we'll go back to the hotel and sit in the room until it's time to go home," Bud informed his children firmly.

"Yes, sir." AJ nodded. "Marines are okay too, I guess."

"I'm sorry, too," Sarah said softly. "Didn't mean ta' hurt ya."

"It didn't really hurt. Just surprised me." AJ shrugged uncomfortably. "Let's go," he urged the rather involved Chloe and Kristin, who had been easily ignoring the whole spat.

Pulling away from Kristin's embrace, Chloe mumbled, "Uh, sure, AJ. I'm ready." She blushed at the knowing grins on the faces of all the adults. "It's about fifteen minutes from here." She slid behind the wheel of Kristin's convertible and turned the key in the ignition, watching in the rear view mirror for the rest of the party to join them.

Kristin tugged uncomfortably at her seat belt. She turned her head and simply stared at Chloe as they headed towards the restaurant.

"What's wrong, Kris?" Chloe demanded softly, glancing at her sideways.

"Nothing," she said softly, reaching over to take Chloe's free hand. She squeezed it tightly, as if reassuring herself that her girlfriend was actually there, in the flesh. "Just thinkin'."

"Kris, this is me. I missed you so much and I can't believe you're here. But I didn't just miss being in bed with you, I missed everything; being your sounding board, talking, watching TV, and doing the Sunday morning crossword. So what are you thinking about?" Chloe inquired patiently.

Kristin was slightly surprised at the outburst of emotion. Chloe wasn't normally the most open person regarding feelings...a lot of that came from her childhood, leftover fear. "About us," Kristin said with a sardonic grin. "And that for how far we've come, sometimes it doesn't feel far at all."

"What do you mean?" Chloe asked fearfully. She pulled into the parking lot of Generous George's and turned to fully face the other woman. "I thought things were okay."

Kristin reached her other hand over and grasped Chloe's. "Between *us*, they're wonderful," she reassured her. "I just mean...." She trailed off with a sigh, not wanting to finish the sentence. "I just hate the way people stare at us sometimes. And I *hate* being the reason that your friends give you that look."

"What look?" Chloe asked. She gazed into Kristin's cobalt blue eyes for a moment. "No. I know what you're thinking. Harm and Mac - they don't think like that. They're just happy I've found someone. I know they're career military, but it doesn't stop them from being people. I think you and Mac will really get along once you get to know each other. You have a lot in common. And hey, Harm dated a shrink once," Chloe smirked. "And my dad adores you. He may have been a bit uncomfortable at first, but he got over it." She squeezed Kristin's hands gently.

"I don't mean them," Kristin said, staring at her hands in her lap, where they joined Chloe's. "I mean everyone *else*. I mean the ones that look like they don't want you around their children," she said, pointedly referring to Bud and Harriet, without naming names.

"Bud and Harriet...they'll get over it," Chloe sighed. "I love AJ and Sarah dearly. I think both of them will be free of any prejudices their parents have; they've been corrupted by me all their lives," she grinned suddenly. "It may take awhile, but they'll be okay with it. And if they're not, it doesn't matter to me. I'm not giving you up for anything. Right before my grandmother died, she wrote me a letter. She told me that she was so sick of hearing about you, and that if I didn't tell you I loved you, she was going to come back from the grave and haunt me. If someone of her generation can accept us, then Bud and Harriet can." Chloe tilted Kristin's chin up to stare into her eyes reassuringly before leaning forward and letting her lips meet those of the woman she'd so missed during boot camp.

Kristin's heart melted as Chloe's hazel eyes burned a hole right through her. "I missed you," she whispered, wrapping her arms around Chloe's neck. "Who else is gonna keep me from going crazy?" she murmured.

"The ferret," Chloe replied, deadpan.

Kristin giggled softly, wiping away a tear. "Bob doesn't like me since you left. All I do is bitch and moan."

"He'll get over it," Chloe promised lightly. "Now, I think we ought to join our families." She broke off when a throat cleared behind her. Turning, she smiled sheepishly at Mac.

"All right, you two, stop steaming up the car windows. This is a family outing, no higher than a PG rating, got it?" Mac smiled at her little sister and Kristin. The two nearly glowed when together. She hoped Chloe got stationed in the DC area; she wanted a chance to get to know Kristin better.

"Aw, Mac," Chloe pouted teasingly, "you're no fun." She languorously climbed out of the car and waited for Kristin to join them.

"I'm really proud of you, kiddo," Mac whispered softly, embracing Chloe once again. "Now, before I start crying like the old woman I am, let's go join everyone, otherwise, Harm will have ordered all veggie for everyone."

Kristin chuckled softly as she shut the car door. Chloe walked a little ahead of them, anxious to join the group, and Kris seized the opportunity. "Hey, Mac?" she said quietly.

Mac slowed down, sensing the girl wanted to talk to her privately. Glancing up, she gestured to Harm to take everyone inside so she and Kristin could have a few minutes alone. "Yes, Kristin?"

Smiling slightly, Kristin reached out and hugged the older woman tightly for a moment. "Thank you. For everything you've done for Chloe."

Puzzled, Mac returned the hug as she asked, "What I did? I didn't do anything for her. Now you, you have truly opened up my little sister. The two of you look so alive when you're together. I'm so grateful that she found someone like you."

"What?" Kristin echoed with a laugh. "You saved her life. You don't know how close she was to falling through the cracks, Mac. Chloe was...well, she didn't know she had anyone to lean on until you. And if you *hadn't* come along, I doubt she and I would be together. She had to learn to trust somewhere along the line."

"And I taught her that?" Mac raised her eyebrows. "I don't think so. I may have laid the foundation, but at that point in my life, I couldn't even trust easily, let alone get a child to believe in warm fuzzy feelings and good people. All I did was get her away from that abusive bastard who claimed to be a father. Chloe and the love of a real family did the rest. When she met you, it was the final piece. She wrote me about you, you know. Often. She didn't come out and say that there was anything, she wanted to save that for in person, I guess. But I could tell she felt more for you than friendship. If I go back through her letters, I can tell when she first started to fall in love with you, when she first started to trust, and how she matured." Mac graced the younger woman with a warm look. "I admire you deeply."

The blush in Kristin's cheeks deepened with every syllable Mac uttered. "Thank you," she said, staring at the ground. "But I still say you did it!" She looked up, a laughing challenge in her eyes.

"Then we'll have to agree to disagree on that one, Doctor," Mac teased. "When do you graduate?"

Smiling as they headed into the restaurant, Kristin replied, "Not for a while. I'm almost done my Masters' work."

"What do you and Chloe have planned?" Mac asked as they walked into the restaurant.

"Actually, not much," Kristin answered as they scanned the room and she caught sight of Harm's upraised arm. "Once we find out where she'll be stationed, we're going to decide what to do."

Mac followed her to the table, sliding into a seat next to Harm and smiling as Chloe patted the seat next to her for Kristin.

"Hey, Aunt Mac, they've got video games in the basement," AJ eagerly informed her. "Can we play later?"

"Maybe," Mac answered noncommittally. "It's up to your parents."

"Mom, can we?"

Harriet grinned and fished a handful of quarters out of her wallet. "If you go downstairs now and let us have grown-up time, you can go back down after dinner, too. Deal?"

"Deal!" Sarah said immediately.

"All right!" AJ cheered as he pocketed his half of the quarters. "Let's go, Sarah!"

Chloe grinned fondly as the pair disappeared from view. She met Bud's eyes and was gratified to see that he didn't flinch. She turned to Mac. "When are you and Harm getting married?"

Mac laughed. "We just got together and you want us married? Give us a little time to breathe."

"Hey, we waited and schemed for fifteen years," Chloe protested. "We deserve some resolution, a happily ever after."

Harm rolled his eyes, sliding his arm around Mac's shoulders. "I think they're right, Mac." He grinned at the expression on her face. "Whenever you're ready, I am. We've waited way too long already."

Stunned, Mac turned to look at him. "Was that a proposal, flyboy?"

Harm shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I don't know. Chloe, did it sound like a proposal?"

"Sounded like one to me," Chloe grinned. "What do you think, Kris?"

Grinning like a wildcat, Kristin squeezed Chloe's hand. "Yeah, sure sounded like a proposal to me. What do you think, Harriet?" She turned to the blond with a grin.

"Oh, for god's sake," Harriet giggled, "say it already, sir!"

Harm took his cue. "Mac, will you marry me?"

Her eyes misting, Mac managed to whisper, "Thought you'd never ask." Meeting his lips with her own, she broke away when she heard Chloe and Bud whistling and applauding. Determined to get her revenge, she started to ask Chloe when they'd be attending her wedding to Kristin, but decided not to put the young couple on the spot. Instead, she threatened, "That's okay. I'm going to put you in the worst bridesmaid's dress I can find, Chloe."

Chloe, who avoided skirts and dresses like the plague, reacted as predicted. "I give, I give! I will never harass you like that again." Sobering, she draped an arm around Kristin's shoulders and affirmed, "Congratulations, you two."

Harm grinned like an idiot, hardly able to believe he'd just asked that question.

Nodding her agreement, Kristin piped up. "Yeah, absolutely, congratulations. And, Mac, let me be the first to say, if you get my Chloe in a dress, I'll never let her live it down." She giggled softly, kissing Chloe's cheek. "When's it my turn?" she teased in a whisper.

"You'd better watch it, or you'll get a public proposal, too," Chloe mock-threatened in her ear, fingering the velvet box in her pocket.

"I triple dog dare you," Kristin teased, running her fingertips over Chloe's strong shoulders. "You're too chicken, Marine."

"Wanna bet?" Chloe's eyes narrowed.

"I'll take that bet, and double your money," Kristin giggled in Chloe's ear. "You propose, and I'll get up on the table and do the two-step."

Ignoring the knowing stare being aimed at her by Mac, Chloe turned to Kristin. Pulling the small box from her pocket and placing it on the table, she managed, "Kristin Nova McGowan, will you marry me?"

"Wha?" Kristin stammered. "Chlo, stop fooling!" she dismissed the box as a prank. "That's not funny."

"Who's playing?" Chloe asked seriously. "Open it," she gestured to the box.

Kristin blinked a couple of times before reaching over with a shaking hand. She popped the box open and her jaw dropped to the table. "Chloe," she whispered. "It's gorgeous."

"You really know how to drag this out and strain a girl's nerves," Chloe chuckled nervously. "Kris, will you marry me?"

Kristin nodded wordlessly, her hands trembling. The little velvet box perched precariously in her palm, about to go tumbling to the floor as she stared at Chloe, unable to form a coherent thought.

"I could use some verbal confirmation here, love," Chloe murmured.

"Yes," Kristin whispered, wrapping her arms around Chloe and choking her in a tight hug. "Yes, yes, a million times, yes."

Now it was Harm and Harriet who started the round of applause.

Chloe emitted a goofy smile before placing the diamond solitaire on Kristin's left ring finger. "I love you," she whispered, resting her forehead against her fiancee's for a moment before pulling her close and turning back to the table. "Um, Mac, will you be my best man?" she grinned.

Mac laughed. "Why not? Do the two of you have any idea as to when you're going to tie the knot?"

Kristin finally recovered enough to tear her eyes away from the beautiful diamond set between two cresting dolphins. "December," she said firmly. "I want a Christmas wedding."

"Christmas?" Chloe groaned. "Of all the sappy..." she trailed off. "Why not?" she shrugged. "Whatever you want."

"Hey," Kris said, slightly insulted. "I think it's gonna be beautiful."

"You tell me when and where," Chloe acquiesced. "I'll go with whatever you want."

"You do intend to be part of this wedding, right?" Mac eyed her little sister. At the girl's nod, she continued, "Then we expect you to be there at every planning session, even if it's via e-mail because you're on the other side of the world. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am," Chloe nodded.

"Trust me, Chloe, that attitude doesn't work. I tried it," Bud advised.

Chloe grinned. "Yes, sir. I solemnly vow to be a part of the wedding planning process."

Kristin grinned, kissing Chloe's cheek softly. "Thanks for embarrassing me," she joked. "Hey!" she said aloud after a moment. "Does this mean I have to get up and do the two-step?"

The door banged open and Kyle Madison walked into the restaurant. "Hey, Chloe. Hi, everyone," he said, pulling up a chair. "Sorry I'm late. Did I miss anything?"

Kristin began to giggle and couldn't stop.

Mac started to laugh as well, burying her face in Harm's shoulder.

Chloe rubbed Kristin's back. "Nope, Dad, not a thing," she smiled innocently.

Kristin laid her head on folded arms and tried to catch her breath between giggles. "No, Dad," she echoed Chloe with a hint of wicked fun in her voice. "Not a thing."

"Dad?" Kyle repeated with a furrowed brow. "Is she drunk, Chloe?"

Chloe met her father's gaze steadily. "No, not drunk. How many grandkids did you want, Dad?" she asked wickedly.

"How many what do I what?" Kyle said. He glanced at Mac with a raised eyebrow. "Mac, what the hell is going on?"

"Don't look at me, Kyle," Mac shook her head, laughing. "I think they're high on something."

Finally, Kris couldn't take it anymore. She held out her left hand and showed him the ring with a silent beam of pride.

AJ and Sarah skidded into the room. "Is the pizza here yet?" AJ demanded breathlessly. "Did we miss anything? Can we have more quarters?"

Chloe smiled at him while nervously eyeing her father.

Kyle stared at the ring silently for a moment. "Is that what I think it is?"

Kristin glanced at AJ with a smile. "No the pizza's not here, yes, you missed two marriage proposals, and yes, there's a ten in my purse for later," she choked out around a smile.

AJ's eyes widened. "You and Chloe are getting married? Can I come visit you? Who else is getting married?" he rushed.

"Yes, we're getting married," Chloe replied patiently. "You can come visit us whenever you like, after the honeymoon. And Harm proposed to Mac."

Sarah turned to her mother with a confused expression. "What's a marriage proposal?" she asked, climbing into Bud's lap.

"It's when a ma---when someone asks someone else to marry them," Harriet said with a little smile.

Sarah turned to the two couples with a grin. "Yay!" she clapped. "Do I get to be in the wedding?"

"We'll see," Chloe replied. "Everything still has to be planned. It depends on whether Kristin has someone in her family she'd like to be a flower girl."

"I think your Uncle Harm and I are going to have a quiet wedding, sweetie," Mac added. "But you're invited."

Kristin shook her head slowly as she smiled at Sarah. "I don't know any little girls who could be my flower girl. I don't suppose you'd like that job, huh?"

"Do I get to wear a dress?" Sarah asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Absolutely. A pretty one, with flowers in your hair and everything," Kristin replied.

"Count me in!"

The table shared gentle laughter at the young girl's response. Chloe still gazed at her father. "Dad? Say something," she prompted nervously.

Kyle's wide grin answered for him. "Congratulations," he said quietly. "I think you're still a little young, but it's up to you."

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. "I couldn't help it. She dared to me." She grinned at Kristin. "Besides, it's not like I haven't had this ring in my pocket for a few months now."

"Months? And you chose to do it in front of all our friends and the pizza guy?" Kris punched Chloe's arm in mock-anger.

"Hey, the pizza guy was across the room," Chloe protested as Mac laughed at her. "Watch it, ma'am," she stuck her tongue out at the older woman. "I'll make sure you have some onerous job in the wedding."

"What'd I do?" Mac laughed. "Besides, Kristin will protect me, Private Madison."

Chloe merely stuck her tongue out at Mac again.

"Don't stick your tongue out unless you're going to use it," Bud said automatically.

"If you say so." Chloe turned to Kristin and kissed her deeply.

"Hey!" Kris said, laughing and pushing Chloe off her. "Get offa me, there's kids in the room." She turned to Mac. "And you're darn right I'll protect you." She flexed a non-existent arm muscle. "Chloe's like putty in my hands."

"Airing our private life in public, love?" Chloe inquired teasingly. Her lightheartedness died when a young man joined them at the table.

"Bryan," she said flatly. "What are you doing here?" she asked the man who had antagonized her all through boot camp.

"Having dinner, same as you, Madison," the dark-haired man sneered. "I'm here with some friends." He gestured to a group who looked well on their way to being inebriated.

Harm leaned over toward the younger man, his imposing height evident even from a seated position. "Chloe doesn't look too happy to see you. I suggest you find another table."

"I'm just wishing her my heartfelt congratulations," Bryan drawled. "It's not every day I get to see one dyke propose to another."

Chloe flushed but did not deign to respond.

Mac, however, stood and threatened quietly, "If you come near us again I will make sure you are court-martialed, is that understood. You see, you've just annoyed a Major General, a Rear Admiral and a Captain. Now get out of our sight and out of this restaurant," she ordered.

Kristin sat silently fuming, her face flushed with anger.

Chloe turned to her worriedly. "Ignore him, Kris. He's a nobody who gets off on harassing others. He's jealous that he doesn't have anyone."

"He's a parasite on humanity," Kris murmured. "But it's people like him who kill people like us."

"He's not going to kill anyone, Kris. He's just blowing off steam. He's drunk," Chloe said uneasily. "Besides, I can handle him."

"The authorities can handle him," Mac corrected sharply. "You can exercise self-defense with restraint, but other than that, you call the police, or the MP's. Understood?"

Chloe nodded, silently offering and receiving comfort from Kristin.

Kristin nodded as well, wrapping her arms around Chloe's middle and burying her face in her shoulder. "Asshole," she muttered, under her breath.

Sarah opened her mouth to tattle and Harriet silenced her with a Look. "Momma," she said instead, "why was that man so angry? And what's a dyke?"

Bud intervened. "We'll talk about it when you're older, Sarah."

"Dad, I think they're coming back," AJ said tensely.

Sarah persisted. "Come on, Mom, tell me. I'm old enough to handle it."

"Sarah," Kristin said quietly, "later, okay?"

Sensing his sister was about to protest, AJ shook his head at her. "Uncle Harm," he said quietly, pointing over at Bryan as he and his group started to advance on their table.

Harm glanced at Mac as they both stood, Bud solidly next to them, and Chloe on his other side.

"We don't want your kind in here," Bryan slurred. He started to reach for Kristin. "A real man would fix you."

Kris slapped his hand away. "Back off. I'm taken."

Chloe stepped between them and glared menacingly at him. "I've taken you down before, Bryan. I could tonight, but I'll let you salvage your manhood in front of your friends if you leave quietly."

Bryan started to bluster, but subsided when Kyle Madison stood, adding his threatening bulk next to Harm, Mac and Bud. "I'll get you, bitch," he spat before walking away.

Kristin started to shake and she sat down heavily on the booth seat.

Chloe quickly slid in beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "It's okay," she soothed.

Mac was about to add her own comfort when AJ managed to squeeze in. "They won't do anything, Kris. They're cowards." He put his own arms around the newest addition to their extended family and squeezed her as tight as his 13-year-old muscles would allow. "He just doesn't understand a love like you have. It's like my mom and dad, or Harm and Mac."

A few tears rolled down Kris' face as she hugged AJ back. "Thanks, AJ," she said softly. "You know," she said, trying to change the subject, "I don't have any siblings, so I won't ever have a nephew. I'm really glad Chloe has one."

AJ squirmed. "Ok, enough mushy stuff. Is the pizza gonna be here soon?" Belying his tough words, he gave Kristin another squeeze before slipping out of her embrace. He grinned as the waiter set down three steaming pizzas: one pepperoni, one vegetarian, and one California Dreamin' white pizza. "Yuck! Garlic!"

Kristin stayed glued to Chloe's side as she reached for a slice of the white pizza. She glanced around the table at everyone, marveling inwardly at the events of the night.

Mac caught her eye and winked as she bit into a slice of pepperoni. She teased, "I'm with AJ. How can you two," she gestured to Chloe, "eat that stuff? It's even worse than Harm's rabbit food."

"Hey," Chloe protested, "it's good. They make the best white pizza I've ever tasted. Besides, we're not the only ones who like it." She glanced at Harriet, who was neatly cutting her slice into bite-size pieces and spearing them with her fork.

Harriet glanced up. "It's good," she defended the pale cousin to the dish Mac was devouring nearly whole. "It's kinda.....funky. Right?" she asked Sarah.

"Right," Sarah muttered, nearly spitting cheese on her aunt. "Thowwy."

"Thowwy?" Mac repeated. She looked to Harriet for interpretation.

"Sorry," Harriet murmured. "She's talking with her mouth full, *again*."

Sarah swallowed quickly. "Sorry, Mom, sorry, Aunt Mac." She took another big bite and chewed happily.

AJ grinned and stifled a yawn as he devoured his second piece of pizza.

"It's about time we get you guys back to the room," Bud interjected. "It's been a long day."

Mac nodded in agreement. "I'm tired." She looked to Harm suggestively. "Besides, there's plenty of other things to do."

Harm nearly choked on his Coke. "Yes. You're absolutely right." He wiped his hands on a napkin and winked at Chloe. "I'm sure we can.....go swimming....or whatever."

Chloe laughed. "You can. I, on the other hand, am taking Kristin back to the room and...oh, yeah, PG. We're going to watch West Wing. It's on a special night tonight. I guess NBC couldn't find anything to oppose Millionaire. Ya know, I can't believe that after Regis retired it was taken over by Geraldo. I mean, why'd they offer it to him?"

"He works cheap," Kris said with a grin. "Hey, AJ, it sounds like tonight's booked, but what do you say Chloe and I take you and Sarah to see the latest installment in the "Men In Black" series?"

AJ grinned. "Absolutely. I love Will Smith. I heard he's going to be doing almost a remake of the original, only this time he's the one looking for a replacement so he can retire."

Chloe interjected, "I hadn't heard that. Too bad. Will Smith is awesome. The movies won't be the same with him."

"He's still going to do other things," AJ assured her. "He was quoted as saying, 'I need to move on. The MIB movies are some of the best times of my life, but it's time to do something different'."

"How do you remember all that?" Kris asked, amazed. "I can barely remember people's names!"

AJ shrugged. "I like stuff like that. If I wasn't gonna be a pilot, I'd want to write movies."

Chloe ruffled his hair. "Yeah, he used to recite and rewrite 'Winnie the Pooh' for hours on end." She reached for the check. "Let's pay and get back to the hotel. I, for one, do not want to miss the beginning of West Wing."

"Or the end," Kris giggled. "The end is always the best part. Especially when you rewind it and do it--I mean, watch it again and again and again."

Sarah frowned slightly, getting the feeling that they were talking grown-up talk over her head again. She yawned and curled up against her daddy's warm chest.

Mac laughed. "All right, you two. I'd hate for you to miss any of West Wing. I know how horrible that is. And you're right, Kris, the end is definitely the best." She grinned at Harm.

Chloe grabbed Kris' hand. "We're out of here, guys. We'll meet you in the morning for breakfast?"

"Friendly's?" AJ asked.

"Whatever you decide. Call Kris' room, but not too early," Chloe begged. She tugged on Kristin's hand, urging her in the direction of the exit and waving good night to everyone.

Kristin waved goodbye quickly as she was drug out of the restaurant. "Good night!"

"G'night, girls. Sleep tight." Harm blushed a little, pulling Mac closer. "Come on," he said, standing up, "let's go get some...sleep."

Mac grinned as Harm mimicked Chloe, nearly dragging her out of the restaurant. As they passed Kristin's car, she called out, "Get a room, you two!" She laughed as Chloe cursed her. "PG," she hollered as they passed Chloe and Kristin once again.

"PG my ass, ma'am!" Kristin yelled back, pulling her hand away from Chloe's legs reluctantly.

"Let's go," Chloe managed to mutter as she pulled away from Kristin long enough to start the car. "Mac has a point. We're in a very public place." She negotiated the streets carefully, not certain of her steadiness. Breathing in the sultry South Carolina air, she observed idly, "I can't wait to get into air conditioning. I can't wait to get back to DC."

"I don't know," Kris murmured, reaching for the radio buttons. "I kinda like all the heat...the girls wearing next to nothing..." She grinned at Chloe's shorts, riding up her thighs.

"That part's not so bad," Chloe agreed. "But this is the true South, darlin'. Nice southern belles aren't interested. They still have coming out parties down here."

"Hey, my parents threw me a party when *I* came out," Kris protested as she found a Trisha Yearwood song on the radio. "And PS, I don't want any 'Southern belles', you dorkus, I want *you*."

As 'Real Live Woman' played in the background, Chloe lightly bopped her fiancee on the head. "Not that kind of coming out, dopey. Although if that was a tradition, it would be nice...a coming out of the closet party. And you'd better want me, or I'll find someone else who wants my ring. Maybe Bobbi Latham..."

Kristin slapped Chloe on the leg. "Bite your tongue. That better be the last time I hear another woman's name coming out of your mouth."

"I'd rather bite your tongue," Chloe returned huskily. "Where's your room?" she asked as they pulled into the parking lot.

"Be my guest," Kris said, reaching over to run her fingers through Chloe's hair. "266."

Chloe pulled in near the proper entrance and tugged Kristin toward it. "You have your key I hope?" Without waiting for an answer, the challenged, "Race ya," and took off down the hall.

Kris walked languidly down the hall, the key dangling from her forefinger. She loved to watch Chloe squirm. She put a little shake in her hips as she went, just to give Chloe something to look at.

Frustrated, Chloe called out softly, "Kris, I'm gonna get you. You have no idea what it was like in boot camp with a bunch of straight women who ogled the men constantly."

"Sure I do," Kris replied easily, sauntering up to the door and unlocking it slowly. "Just like being at school with a bunch of giggly, eighteen-year-old whiny brats who only think about sex, twenty-four-seven." She strutted into the room and plopped down in a chair.

"And we don't?" Chloe countered from her perch on the edge of the dresser.

"Well, yeah, but we don't go around drooling on everyone we see," Kris corrected. "I only have eyes for you," she giggled. Making her way across the room, she pushed Chloe's legs apart and leaned between them. Leaning up on tiptoe, Kris began to kiss Chloe's neck teasingly.

Lying in her fiancee's arms an hour later, Kris wrapped her arms around Chloe. "God," she murmured. "I've missed you."

"Ditto," Chloe dropped a kiss on her forehead. She pulled Kris closer to her, blindly groping for the blanket. She rubbed Kris' back and cradled her head on Kris' shoulder. "I can't believe I voluntarily left you for boot camp. Kick me if I ever decide to do something like that again."

"Yes, ma'am," Kris whispered tiredly. "Sleep tight, love," she murmured, trailing good-night kisses across Chloe's bare arms.

Smash. The window shattered into a prism of shards, as a brick came hurtling through the pane.

"What the hell?" Kristin sat straight up, clutching the bedsheet. "Chloe, what is that?" she asked, her voice cracking as she peered into the darkness, trying to see something, anything.

"I don't know," Chloe replied grimly, "but I'm going to find out. Get down," she ordered as she reached for her shorts and T-shirt, slipping into a pair of Keds. Cautiously approaching the gaping hole where a window used to reside, she peered out into the dark, trying to see anything. Not finding anything, she slipped out the door, scanning the parking lot below. Shaking her head, she re-entered the room and found the brick where it had landed next to the bed. "I'll call management while you get dressed," she directed wearily.

Kris crouched behind the bed, watching Chloe fearfully. She knew her fiancee could take care of herself, but she never stopped worrying. "Okay," she said quietly. Kris grabbed some clothes and threw them on as Chloe was on the phone. She stuffed the rest of her clothes and things into the suitcase haphazardly, her heart pounding. She set it beside the door and walked over to Chloe, who had the phone cradled against one shoulder. Sitting down next to her, Kris laid her head against Chloe, her heart still in her throat.

Chloe absently wrapped an arm around her, sensing the comfort without acknowledging it. "Yes, someone just threw a brick through the window. We need another room." She paused and blew out a breath. "There's a convention and you don't have a spare room. Terrific. A refund. Of course, that would be appreciated. And the police will be here when?" Chloe waited another minute. "If you don't call them, I will. Did I mention that my big sister is married to the JAG? You're in a military town, I'm sure you understand the implication. My sister is a judge, and their good friend, father to their godchildren, is a high ranking officer, the best lawyer JAG has to offer." Chloe smiled humorlessly. "Quite. We'll expect the police within half an hour then." Hanging up the phone, she immediately picked up and dialed Mac. "Mac, I hate to disturb the two of you, but..." Pulling Kris even closer, Chloe told her big sister of the evening's events.

End Ch. 2