Keely heard AJ pick up the phone as she entered the bathroom. She shut the door, although not all the way, and stared at herself in the mirror. Her fiery hair could have housed a rat, and she smelled of sex, not to mention the fact she was sore as hell.
She'd never looked better.
She flipped on the faucet, humming to herself, and quickly washed her face. She grabbed her toothbrush and started to wash away the foam in her mouth, leaning against the small porcelain sink, sleek ankles crossed, waiting to see if her companion would join her.
Slipping in behind her, AJ grinned at Keely's reflection. "You look like hell, kid."
Keely smiled around her toothbrush, shaking her head. She leaned over and spit, cupping the water in her hands to rinse her mouth out. She turned back to him, reaching around his lanky form to grab her towel. "What a charmer."
"I can be if I really try," AJ said, leaning to his right to grab the toothpaste. He'd neglected to pack a toothbrush, not expecting to spend the night, but he'd make do. As he grabbed the Crest, he leaned just a little further than necessary, brushing against Keely's breast as he drew back.
Keely smiled and shook her head, allowing her robe to part just a little more. She reached around him and opened the medicine cabinet. She produced a newly packaged toothbrush and handed it to him. At his questioning look, she simply shrugged. "My goddaughter comes to visit every once and a while."
AJ took the toothbrush gratefully and started to clean the cotton feeling from his teeth. When he had a mouthful of water and toothpaste, he gestured for Keely to move out of his way so he could spit.
Keely stepped out of the way, and out of the tiny bathroom. She walked into the bedroom area and grabbed a hairbrush, attempting to tame her unruly hair. "So, what is this so-called celebrating supposed to entail?" she called as she tied her hair in a messy bun.
AJ finished rinsing and wiped his mouth on the towel. "Basically, breakfast at IHOP before I go home to shower and change."
Keely leaned in the doorjamb of the bathroom, arms crossed. "Well, you certainly know how to show a girl a good time, old man." She brushed past him, heading for her bathtub. "Do I have time for a shower of my own?"
"No." AJ grabbed her arm gently. "I mean, you have to try my shower. It's got dual sprays." He was better at flirting in a smoky karaoke bar than in the light of day, apparently.
Keely turned and looked at his face, and at the mixture of arousal and sheer terror that resided there. Slowly, she nodded. "Okay, let me just get dressed, then." She moved back into the bedroom, quickly throwing on jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt...with no bra or panties.
She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and exhaled loudly. *I sure hope you know what you're doing, Keel.* She re-emerged, searching for her running shoes. "I'm ready if you are."
"I'm set." AJ grabbed his car keys off the kitchen counter and held the door for Keely.
Keely grabbed her own keys and purse and waited for him in the hallway. After he'd shut her door, they walked in silence to the elevator, and Keely punched the down button. They stood there, saying nothing, for a good couple of minutes, until she finally said, "How is it that this is more awkward than last night?"
Without allowing himself to think, AJ replied honestly, "Because now I have to think of something to say and keep my mind off the fact that all I want right now is to get you back in bed so we don't have to talk."
Keely looked at him, eyes amused, but thankful for his honesty. "That's a definite alternative," she said with a smile. "But unfortunately, as any of my friends will tell you, it takes a lot more than sex to shut me up. Sorry."
"It's all right," AJ mumbled. "Actually, I'd be more than a little grateful if you did the talking for a while."
The elevator arrived and the two stepped in. Keely leaned against one paneled wall and crossed her arms. "What do you want to know?" she asked quietly.
AJ thought for a second. "What made you want to be an English major?"
"That's a question," Keely replied with a warm smile. "Honestly? I want to write." She cleared her throat before continuing. "I've been telling stories since I was a little girl, always playing pretend to escape. I guess I just want to get paid for it."
A little amazed at her blunt honesty, AJ was silent for a moment. "Why did you want to escape?"
The elevator arrived at the ground floor and Keely was silent until they were out in the bright sunshine. She walked to the passenger side and regarded him over the top of the sedan. Shrugging, she continued. "I didn't have the greatest of childhoods," she offered. "My parents were teenagers when I was conceived, and they couldn't take care of themselves, let alone me, so they sent me to Uncle Shaun." She shrugged. "I was more of a burden on him than I was to my parents, and he let me know it."
"I'm sorry," AJ said, opening her door and sliding in. He didn't know what else to say.
Keely climbed in as well. "Not much you can do. You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family." She buckled in and leaned against the window. "Anyway, I applied to University of Michigan and spent four years there. Graduated, and found out he had liver cancer. So I applied to American, got in, began as a TA and working on my MA, and I work the bar at night."
Nodding, AJ said, "That's really impressive." With every little thing he learned about this girl, he was liking Keely more and more. Unable to express more, he simply reached across the console and squeezed her hand gently.
Keely's entire body tingled at the contact, and she shifted, nearly groaning at the friction of her jeans against her bare skin. She squeezed back before continuing. "I don't mind it anymore, really...he's the only person that ever gave a damn about me, even if it was in his own way. Plus, it gives me a hell of a lot of material to write about."
"I can understand that," AJ began slowly. "My dad left when I was four years old. I don't remember much about him, just that he didn't want kids to begin with, and he ran out when the money got tight." Glancing at Keely briefly, he finished, "So I know how it is."
Keely offered a sympathetic smile and squeezed his hand again. Then, she asked with amusement, "Do you really want to talk about this?"
"No." *I really want to drive straight back to your apartment and fuck your brains out.*
Keely smiled at his curt response and looked out the window. "So, do you always take your conquests out for pancakes on the morning after?" she teased.
Laughing a little, AJ threw back, "Nah, I'd go broke."
Keely grinned. "Oh, really?" she said, a disbelieving edge to her voice.
"Yeah, you know, taking a different girl out every other year will drive a man to the poorhouse."
Keely smiled again, then shook her head. "Somehow, I find that hard to believe," she said honestly.
"That I treat for pancakes? It's one hundred percent true," AJ teased.
Keely leaned over and slapped him lightly on his arm. "You know what I mean."
AJ nodded, stroking her arm gently. "Yeah, I don't get out much."
Keely moved her hand down to his knee, rubbing her thumb in circles. "Well, it's not as if I'm some great dating guru, either, you know."
"You're kidding," AJ said with a hint of sarcasm. "But really, I can see why boys would be too scared to approach you."
Keely looked at him, still smiling, but this time more enigmatically. "And why would that be?"
"You're beautiful, funny, independent..." he trailed off. "Nevermind," he muttered.
Keely squeezed his knee in reassurance. "AJ, I'm a bartender. I've had every life story told to me over these past two years, so you don't have to hold back with me. I'll let you know when it gets to be too much, all right?"
Snorting softly, AJ shook his head. "I'm not worried about overwhelming you, kid. You're talking to someone who hasn't said the L word to anyone in twenty years or more."
Keely held her hands up. "Listen, dude, I'm not looking for a diamond solitaire and death do us part. Not right now, at this point in my life." She returned her hand to his knee. "But I will tell you what I expect from you. I'm not going to be someone's fuck buddy, the one they call when they're horny and the right hand's not working. I'd like you to let go of your inhibitions and just *talk* to me. " She tilted her head to try and catch his gaze. "Okay?"
AJ held back a comment out of respect and drew his hand back. He stared out the windshield for a moment before speaking. "Listen, Keely, I like you. I really do. And I'd never expect you to be a ... what did you call it? Fuck buddy? But we barely know each other. And I'm not good at talking in *any* situation, much less this kind. So cut me a little slack, okay?"
"Well, pardon me for being a dense child here, but if we don't talk, how are we going to get to know each other?"
"We'll talk, I just can't talk about every detail of my life before breakfast on the first date." AJ was fuming inside and barely holding it in check.
Keely extracted her hand and looked out the window. "Whatever. Pardon me for thinking sex was a nice precursor to conversation. How juvenile of me."
"You know, you're really frustrating sometimes, Keely," AJ snapped. "I'm doing my best, but you're making it fucking impossible."
"*I'm* fucking frustrating? AJ, you don't even know me! You fucking met me *twice*. Okay? *Twice.*" Keely shook her head in disgust. "Look, I don't claim to know every in and out of you. But I'd like to. I'd also like to know how you got that large pole stuck up your ass."
AJ pulled up in front of the IHOP and screeched the car to a stop, slamming into park. "Look, I wouldn't be here if I didn't like you, but one night isn't enough to get me to open up completely. It's just the way I am." He was seething, and it showed in his eerily calm voice. "Take it or leave it."
Keely looked down her nose at him, amazed. She shook her head in disbelief for a moment and then sighed, looking out the window. She turned to look at him again, her brow furrowing as she contemplated what to say. Finally, she asked, "What made you stay last night? If we're so fucking different, as we apparently are, what made you stay?"
"Your eyes."
Keely's mouth dropped open at the response. "My eyes."
"The way you looked at me," AJ said, clenching and unclenching his hands over the steering wheel.
"The way I looked at you." Keely's expression softened as she saw how hard this was for him, but she was still trying to wrap her brain around it.
"Yes."
She looked at him, still not knowing what to say. She moved to open her door and leave the car when she turned her head again. "This is going to be really fucking hard, isn't it?"
Shaking his head, AJ tentatively reached for Keely's arm. "I don't want it to be, but you have to try to understand, okay? I'll meet you halfway."
Keely covered his hand with hers and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "Come on, I hear some cheese blintz calling my name."
Bringing Keely's hand up to his mouth, AJ kissed each finger slowly. "Do we have to?" he asked.
"Well, my god, you have more turns than 1-66 to Dulles," Keely laughed. "Does fighting turn you on or something?" she teased.
AJ leaned over and kissed her thoroughly. "Or something."
Keely leaned back, shaking her head. "Now, there's something you need to understand here, mister. I don't pass up free food. So, if we bypass breakfast, you're gonna have to make it up to me."
"I'm sure I can find a way." AJ grinned wickedly.
Keely tilted her head, as if contemplating. "Just explain to me one thing."
"I'll try," AJ promised as they pulled out of the IHOP and headed towards McLean.
"How do you manage to get me aroused right after you had me wanting to wring your neck?"
"It's a gift."
Keely laughed outright, shaking her head at him. "I'm sure it is." She watched him drive, confused at the sudden change in his demeanor, but still aroused nonetheless. "I don't know where this is going, if it even goes anywhere, but I'll make you a deal."
"I'm always up for a bargain," AJ said, reaching for her hand again.
"I'll give you your space, if you promise to make a concerted effort to include me in what's going on in that sexy head of yours---the one on your shoulders, I mean," she added with a grin.
AJ smiled wryly. "I can handle that." *I think I can.*
Keely nodded and smiled again, her soft eyes exuding her thanks. She settled back in the plush seat, crossing her legs. "So, where exactly are we headed?"
"My place?" AJ suggested as they pulled off the highway and down the road toward his house. "It's nice and quiet."
"Very nice," Keely commented as he took the McLean exit. "Virginia, where the air smells like a mixture of cow crap and planes."
AJ raised an eyebrow in challenge. "I can drop you off at your apartment if you don't like it out here."
Keely raised her hands again, this time feigning innocence. "No, sometimes you just need the quiet."
"So no one can you hear scream," AJ murmured.
Keely's head whipped around to look at him, but AJ just kept his eyes on the road. She giggled to herself, wondering just how she'd managed to get involved with this kind, stubborn, sexy and frustrating as hell man.
Parking the car around the side of the house, AJ came around and opened Keely's door. "Come on," he said, a sudden urgency overcoming him. Unlocking the door in record time, he shut it behind them quickly.
Keely leaned against the front door, the grin still plastered on her face as she tugged at the hem of his turtleneck again. She imagined their clothes still had the smell of sex lingering within their seams, and rose to kiss him hungrily.
Stumbling backwards, AJ pulled Keely with him towards the bathroom. "Shower," he murmured hungrily.
Keely followed, unbuttoning his jeans as they stumbled through his bedroom and into the bathroom. Their lovemaking this time was frantic and demanding, bringing them both to the edge in a matter of minutes. Watching Keely's face explode in a torrent of emotions as the orgasm hit her, AJ's breathing stopped for a moment. He felt the waves starting in his stomach and washing outward over him. "I'm going to.....god," he whispered reverently as he climaxed, gripping her wrists hard. As he came, Keely looked down at their joined bodies, glistening with sweat, sex and arousal. It was almost enough to sustain her.
Almost.
After AJ had stopped shaking, she leaned down and kissed him languidly, running her hand up and down his cheek. She moved her mouth to his cheeks, his forehead, and his Adam's apple as she moved off of him, instead curling up next to him.
AJ waited for his breathing to return to normal as he held Keely, curled against his side. "Wow," he murmured.
Keely smiled. "Wow indeed." She ran a hand over his sculpted chest, kissing him just below his nipple. "Now we *really* need a shower," she teased.
AJ just shook his head with a little laugh. "I couldn't move if I tried." Turning on his side, he gathered Keely into his arms and they lay there, skin to skin. "Thanks, Keel," he murmured under his breath as his eyes fluttered shut from exhaustion.
"For what?" she whispered, running a hand down his arm.
"I don't know yet. But I'm sure eventually I'll figure it out."
"I hope you do," she whispered as her eyelids fluttered closed. "I sure as hell hope you do."
"I'm going to try," AJ murmured, kissing her shoulder.
Keely yawned, raising her head to look at him. "That's all we can do." After a moment, she amended her thought. "No, actually, you can make me a big-ass breakfast when we wake up again. *That's* all we can do."
"Deal."
* * *
Waking after only a couple of hours' sleep, as was his custom, AJ slid his arm out from under Keely. Shaking the feeling back into it, he grabbed a clean pair of shorts and a t-shirt out of his dresser. As AJ made his way into the living room, he yawned slightly. The past two days had done more for him than a month's worth of 0500 hour runs. He was worn out, sore, stiff and happier than he had been in years.
Brewing a small pot of coffee, AJ reached for his "I Love The Navy" mug and sat down with last Sunday's unread newspaper. *It's been a long time since I spent a weekday at home,* he thought. Flipping through the news, he lingered over the Military section and by the time he'd finished the World Events page, was finishing his second cup of coffee.
As he turned the last page, AJ stacked the paper neatly on the counter and took his coffee to the living room. Settling down in front of the TV, he flipped on the news and watched it, half his mind wandering elsewhere. Again, he wondered about the pixie in his bedroom. Closing his eyes, AJ dwelled for a moment on the events of the previous night, amazed at how things had spiraled out of his control. *What kind of witch is she?* AJ laughed to himself. *She casts one hell of a spell. I feel like I've been drunk since I walked into O'Reilly's. I sang karao----I did what? Jesus Christ, I did!* He shook his head in bewilderment. "And you had more sex than in the past ten years combined."
In the bedroom, Keely stirred, rustling the still-warm cotton sheets with her flushed skin. She turned her head, stretching and searching for AJ. She rolled off her stomach and sat up as she heard the TV in the other room. She bent her knees under the sheet as she tried to collect her maelstrom of emotions and thoughts.
On one hand, it was simple: she wanted him. Wanted him in the worst of ways, so much so that her body began to tingle at the mere thought of him. But the other hand held the weight of the world in its palm. Neither of them was ready for a relationship, plain and simple. She could sense he had been a solitary soul for many years, and she questioned her own ability to share her obviously very different life with him, as much as her libido wanted her to.
She rested her chin on her knees, closing her eyes and sighing. It could never work, even if she wanted it to. It repeated in her head as a mantra, trying to convince. Even if she desperately wanted it to.
Keely opened her eyes again and climbed out of bed, stopping and rooting around AJ's dresser for something to wear. She grabbed what seemed to be an old t-shirt and threw it on over her head. She ran a hand through her hair and walked out into the living room.
"Good morning...again," she said softly, not wanting to startle him.
Turning his head, AJ smiled slightly. "Good morning. Sleep well?"
Keely smiled back, crossing her arms and leaning in the doorjamb. "Very well, thank you. And you?"
"Not bad." AJ shifted so he was facing her. *Now what?* he thought. *Talk, you jackass,* he answered himself. "What are your plans for today?"
Keely shrugged. *Depends on you,* she thought idly. "Not sure. I have some papers to grade, but I left them back at my apartment, so I might bum another ride off you, if that's okay."
*I'd be happy to give you a ride,* AJ thought with a grin. "No problem," he replied aloud. "Just let me know when you're ready to leave."
Keely's smile broadened this time and she cocked her head, thinking. "I'll let you know...but only after you feed me. I vaguely recall you mentioning something about making a missed IHOP breakfast up to me."
"Oh, that's right." AJ put his mug on the coffee table and straightened. "I'm starving now, too."
Keely walked over to his abandoned mug and drained the rest of the liquid. Her face contorted at its bitter taste and she raised her eyebrows at AJ. "Anybody ever teach you about sweetener, old man?"
"Yeah, my first C.O., right after he taught me how to blow a man's head off using only a Bic lighter and a squirrel. Move it, cadet." He ushered Keely towards the bedroom, so she could get dressed.
Keely rolled her eyes and moved into the bathroom, picking up her clothes from the previous night. She pulled her jeans on under AJ's large shirt, then changed her top quickly, but not quickly enough to prevent AJ from seeing a large portion of her flat stomach. She tied her unruly hair back and emerged from the bathroom fully, smiling shyly. "Lead me to the food, Admiral."
AJ gestured to the front door, which he was holding open for her. "After you."
"Thanks," she replied, not thinking about how it must have looked, the two of them going into the house only to reemerge two hours later.
The forty minutes spent in IHOP were downright awkward. Nothing was really said, and few glances were exchanged, as both AJ and Keely attempted, as they had been for most of the morning, to figure out just what the hell was going on in the other's head.
After the check had been paid, they stepped out of the blue-roofed restaurant and Keely offered a small smile. "So..."
Never one to beat around the bush, AJ said, "You ready to go home?"
Keely let out a small sigh as she smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am."
"Okay." AJ opened the car door for Keely, swinging it shut behind her before sliding in next to her. They headed towards her apartment, neither one speaking any more than they had at breakfast.
Keely watched the Virginia countryside fly by, but she didn't process it. As they entered the city, a pit settled in her stomach. The edges of her mouth quirked in a sad smile at the thought of leaving him, for whatever reason.
*I may not want to marry the guy,* she thought as she studied his strong profile out of her peripheral vision, *But there's just something...*
AJ felt Keely's gaze on him and he turned his head for a split second to smile at her. "What are you thinking?" he asked.
Caught, Keely met his smile. She shrugged and said, "Nothing. Just...thinking."
"Okay." AJ wasn't going to press her if she didn't feel like talking--he knew how much he hated that.
Keely sighed, shrugging. "I don't know," she said honestly. "My mind's going in a billion different directions right now. I think I just need some time to process."
Nodding, AJ said quietly, "I can understand that." He didn't like the turn this conversation was taking--or rather, this *lack* of a conversation. It was quickly becoming apparent that they had little in common other than sex.
Keely nodded along, exhaling. The normally talkative young woman was at a loss for words and confused as hell. Finally, she looked at him and offered quietly, "I hope you'll still come into the bar. We can always use the help."
Glancing with confusion at Keely, AJ raised an eyebrow as they pulled up in front of her building once again. "That sounded suspiciously like I'm being rejected."
"No, no," Keely said quickly. "I just...I just got the impression you weren't too interested in me, other than physically speaking."
Killing the engine, AJ turned to stare at Keely. "Where the hell did you get an idea like that, woman?"
Keely's eyes widened in response and her mouth dropped open. "Well, let's see...I'm 26, and you're...not. You're a lawyer, I'm a grad student. We have *nothing* in common, AJ!" Keely unbuckled her seatbelt and faced him fully. "Doesn't that worry you, even in the slightest?"
"No, because you're wrong. We have a lot in common." AJ had to convince himself that was the truth, otherwise he was a worthless human being taking advantage of a young girl.
Keely crossed her arms. "Name one thing," she challenged.
"Shakespeare."
"Which play?"
"You name it, I've seen it, read it or done it. King Lear. Hamlet. Much Ado About Nothing." AJ's forehead crinkled as a thought crossed his mind. "In fact, has anyone ever told you that you're a dead ringer for Beatrice?"
Keely smiled and shook her head. "No, that's a new one on me." She smiled at him, shaking her head. Pausing, she leaned down into her purse and pulled out a scrap piece of paper. Scribbling her phone number on it, she thrust it into AJ's hand before she lost her nerve. "My stench is starting to get to me," she said, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. Motioning to his hand, she said, "Use that whenever you want. If I'm not home, you know where I'll be."
"Okay." AJ paused for a moment before making him up his mind. Leaning across the car, he pulled Keely close and pressed his lips to hers.
Keely smiled against his mouth, cupping his cheek. "I have to go," she said, hoping he'd understand. "I'll see you soon." She opened the door and bolted from the car, petrified at the uncertain and coexisting feelings washing over her.
Hesitating
only briefly, AJ jumped out of the car and called, "Keely!"
Keely stopped, closing her eyes. There were so many reasons for her not
to turn around, so many reasons why she shouldn't.
She did anyway.
She turned slowly, the strap on her bag falling off of her shoulder. She cleared her throat. "Yeah?" she asked tightly.
AJ came around the car slowly, stopping about five inches from her. He was so close he could hear her soft breathing. "Can I come up for coffee?"
Keely smiled, nodding. "But I require sweetener in my house," she teased, opening the front door.
Not biting at the obvious bait, AJ followed Keely upstairs silently, resting his arm on the elevator wall behind her, just close enough to brush her back.
They made it down the dimly lit hallway, and Keely preoccupied herself with her breathing pattern...something told her she might need the oxygen later.
She pushed open her front door, hit by the musky scent of sex lingering there. She dumped her bag and turned back to AJ, holding the door open for him. "You take it black?" she asked, somewhat nervously.
"Maybe we could just skip the coffee," AJ suggested, stepping into the apartment and closing the door.
Keely turned, grinning in spite of herself. "Well, aren't we presumptuous?" She stepped towards him, running her fingers along his sides. "Or maybe just horny," she amended.
His mouth curling in a half-smile, AJ murmured, "Maybe a little of both. It's all your fault, anyway." He pulled Keely close, nuzzling her neck with his lips.
She untucked his shirt, running her hands along his toned muscles. "Oh, really?"
"Really," he said, his chest rumbling as his voice deepened with desire. "I was just fine until you came along....with your cute little ass in those tight Wranglers...that smile that could light up a city....that hair..." AJ accentuated his words by planting a hand firmly on Keely's hip and tangling the other in her tresses.
Keely managed to raise her head to look at him, wrapping her own arms around him. She rose, kissing him hungrily, forcing his mouth open with her greedy tongue. She traced the outline of his lips as her hands worked under his shirt once again, his skin moving under equally greedy fingers.
Sliding his hands down into Keely's jeans, AJ devoured her mouth. His tongue darted into her mouth as his hands flew across her stomach, stroking her hips and ass. He wanted her, needed her. He needed to be with her, to touch her, to taste her, to be inside her. Each breath he took longed to be her breath. AJ crushed Keely against him, feeling the hardness in his jeans growing as she moaned into his mouth. As each body slid against the other in a now-familiar dance, Keely found and linked her hands with AJ's, kissing from under his chin to his nose, his cheeks and finally his mouth as he emptied into her, and collapsed atop her in a very heavy - albeit sexy - heap.
They remained there, a combination of sweat, sex and arousal, until their erratic breathing returned to normal. She turned her head to look at him, kissing his cheek once more. "You've astounded me once again, old man. Three times inside of twenty-four hours is pretty damn impressive."
A deep chuckle escaped AJ as he rolled off of Keely and lay next to her, deja vu overcoming him. Hadn't they just been here, four or so hours before? "I told you I wasn't *that* old."
Keely rolled on her side, facing him, a sated smile adorning her young features. "No, you just said you weren't old. You never told me in years."
"Let's just say I'm between forty-five and fifty-five, and leave it at that." *Plausible deniability....Webb was right.*
Keely closed her eyes, sighing. She propped her elbow on top of her pillow, resting her sweaty head on her hand. "You understand you're the same age as or older than my parents," she stated dejectedly.
AJ's face didn't register any emotion as he asked, "Does that bother you?"
"Well, it's a little odd, don't you think?" Keely replied. She placed her hand on his bicep. "I guess I'm just truly realizing...hell, I don't even *know* what I'm realizing." She allowed her arm to collapse, her head flopping on the pillow in frustration.
Unable
to take the drama anymore, AJ rolled over, pinning Keely to the pillow, his
nose an inch from hers. "Listen up," he said in his no-nonsense
voice. "I'm going to tell you what I tell my junior officers.
I'm going to say this once and only once, so listen well." He paused
for effect. "It does not matter if the entire world thinks you're
insane, including me. All that matters is that you follow your gut.
Understood?" Without waiting for a reply, AJ tempered his words by
kissing Keely's cheek quickly before lying back down beside her.
Keely offered him a smile as she grabbed his hand, kissing his palm.
"Explain to me how you, this beautiful, strong, handsome man...how you're
not taken or married."
AJ shook his head quickly. "I was married once, I wasn't any good at it. And ever since, I've been taken by my career. Being the JAG is more than a full-time job, it's my life."
Keely nodded, realizing with his tone this was not something she wanted to dwell on. "I can understand that," she said in a knowing tone. "Sometimes it's easier...at least for me...to be so preoccupied with one thing that you just end up shutting the rest of the world out." She rolled onto her stomach, making a pillow out of her arms, her gaze never wavering. "Maybe we're not so different after all."
Nodding slowly in agreement, AJ quirked an eyebrow. "Maybe not."
Keely smiled, turning her head to look at her clock. "Hmm…nearly one in the afternoon." She rolled her head and looked at him through heavy lidded eyes. "Tell me what the JAG would be doing if he were at work right now."
"Thirteen hundred hours..." AJ trailed off, thinking for a moment. "I'd probably just be finishing lunch. I usually have a sandwich or a salad at my desk, so I can finish paperwork while I eat. In about an hour, I'll go to the courtroom and watch my lawyers work." His voice was full of fatherly pride as AJ talked about his team. "I like to be on hand, I think it keeps Lieutenant Roberts--Bud--from getting too nervous. He's still kind of green." AJ shook his head. "But you don't want to hear about my boring job."
Keely returned to her original position, holding her head up. She nodded vigorously, drawing her index finger over his chest in random patterns. "I do. Much more interesting than hearing about how my grammar sucks and telling freshmen theirs is worse."
Chuckling softly, AJ grabbed Keely's hand and kissed the fingers before releasing it. "That's pretty much my day--paperwork, observing in court and handing out assignments."
Keely shook her head. "You have all the power. It's gotta be fun. Besides," she yawned softly, "you look damn good in that uniform."
Clearing his throat to cover his embarrassment, AJ said, "Thanks. I think."
Keely smiled, running her hand to his shoulder and squeezing lightly. "You're welcome," she said sincerely.
"How did I end up here?" AJ wondered aloud as sleep started to steal his thoughts. "In the middle of the day, I'm in the bed of a college coed, playing hooky from my responsibilities and not caring much at all. Tell me, how did you accomplish this?" he asked Keely, as he stifled a yawn.
Keely lay her head back down on the pillow, her hand still moving up and down his back. "Well, I think you just wanted my ass."
Unable to stop it, AJ burst out laughing. His deep laugh rumbled through the small apartment, echoing back to his own ears. And did it sound good. "That's not half of it," he said, kissing Keely's cheek.
Keely's face split into a matching grin, and she leaned over to kiss him back, her long fingers splayed across his broad back. "Well, that's good to know," she replied, her green eyes sparkling and softening.
"Mmhmm," AJ replied as he drifted off to sleep, comfortable in her embrace.
As she watched him fall asleep, Keely allowed her own eyelids to slide shut. But even in her dreams, she couldn't escape the nagging feeling that something was about to go terribly awry.
End
Ch. 2
