Keely somehow managed to wiggle her key into the garage door, balancing Chinese food, her laptop and portfolio precariously on her shoulders and wrists. Shutting the door behind her, the cool Seattle evening was locked out. She nearly called out to AJ, but could hear him speaking, probably on the phone. She crossed through the living room into the kitchen, placing dinner on the countertop. She slipped off her shoes, resting the rest of her things on one of the stools. She crossed to the den, sticking her head in the doorway. AJ had his back to her and was laughing into the phone.

"No, sir," he said, shaking his head. "I told him if he didn't want to follow my rules...well, let's just say I found several places he could put the UCMJ."

Keely's face contorted into confusion, and she stepped back against the wall, fully intending to go back into the kitchen and to give AJ his privacy. *Who would AJ be addressing as 'Sir'?* she wondered.

AJ leaned back, taking a swig out of the bottle of water on the desk. "Of course, Admiral. Well," he paused, his voice faltering slightly. "To be honest, I hadn't planned to retire until I literally *couldn't* work any more. But...an opportunity arose in Seattle and I felt I just had to take advantage of it."

In the hallway, Keely closed her eyes and looked at her feet. She had heard his voice change, and that pause before he'd answered the person's question, and for whatever reason, that millisecond of action overshadowed AJ's final sentence. She ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. After DC, she'd felt like she was walking on eggshells with him. He seemed more distant than usual, his eyes far away, and despite his hasty reassurances, Keely couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that he still wasn't happy.

*Well, with a paranoid girlfriend like you, can you blame the man?* Her inner voice reprimanded. *Admit it, Keely, you're petrified. Of losing him, of losing yourself...oh wait, you already did that, didn't you? Vulnerable. That's what you are, vulnerable. And you'll do anything to stop it, even push away the best thing that ever happened to you.* Keely shook her head, silencing the evil little menace and squared her shoulders. She turned, rapping lightly on the doorjamb of the office, trying not to disturb him if he was still explaining 'the opportunity'.

Turning his head, AJ smiled, gesturing for Keely to come in. "Yessir, that's right. She's a teacher and writer," he admitted shyly, patting his lap for her to take a seat.

Keely smiled, internally hoisting a fist of victory and shutting up the unfortunately truthful inner demon. She faced him, leaning her back against his desk, draping her legs over his thigh. She leaned forward a bit, looking though the pantry and into the kitchen to make sure Sadie wasn't helping herself to the General Tso's chicken, and Keely placed a hand lightly on his hip, her thumb circling feather-light, trying not to interrupt too much. *Can't let the man get all hot and bothered--yet.*

Wrapping an arm around Keely's waist, AJ pulled her down to his lap, kissing her gently. "Welcome home," he whispered, covering the phone with his other palm. "I'll be done in a sec." Turning back to the phone, he continued his conversation. "Yes, sir, I can come in for an interview any time. Oh nine hundred tomorrow? Yes, sir. I'll see you then."

Keely leaned over so he could hang up the phone, and as he sat back in his chair, she draped her other leg over his, scooting further up his lap. She kissed him lightly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You getting a life without me, old man?" she teased.

"Yup," AJ affirmed. "I just set an interview at the base for tomorrow morning."

Keely smiled. "Well, good for you. Hopefully it'll get you off of this 'Days of Our Lives' kick and back where you belong--'General Hospital!'" She kissed him again, nodding towards the kitchen. "I cooked."

Grinning, AJ pushed at Keely playfully to get up. "You did not, you picked up. What'd you get?"

Keely stood, padding through the pantry and into the kitchen, shaking a finger at Sadie, who was already perched alongside the counter. "Mr. K's. General Tso's, sesame chicken, the noodle thingies you like so much, some rice...I forget, I was hungry when I ordered it, so I'm sure there's some of everything in there." She turned, reaching for some silverware and plates. "So, what position are you going to interview for?" she asked, trying to sound legitimately interested.

"Oooh, sesame chicken." AJ started poking through the bag, sniffing out his meal. "I'm not sure. I spoke to the Base Commander, Admiral Bell, and he said he's going to see what he can find for me."

"Center bag, AJ." She held out a plate to him, then turned to the fridge, getting a Coke. "Well, I'm sure they'll find something for you to do to alleviate your boredom around here," she joked.

"I'm not bored," AJ objected, munching on a piece of sesame chicken. "I just want to help."

Keely turned back to him, taking a sip from her can. "Don't lie," she chided gently. "I know you're bored, which I don't really blame you for. I think it'll be good to get you back on some old stomping ground."

"Mmph," AJ said around his mouthful of chicken.

Keely chuckled. "Next time, I get a box for you and a box for me. Didn't you eat at all today?"

AJ swallowed, shaking his head. "Huh uh. Not since breakfast."

"Why not?" Keely asked, hands on hips. *Talk about role reversal, Keely.*

"Well, first," AJ replied without realizing he was being interrogated, "Sadie and I went for a run, about thirty miles round trip. After that, I showered and Sadie made me play fetch," he laughed. "And that was about two hours ago, and I just kind of forgot."

Keely shook her head, spooning some fried rice onto her plate. "AJ, can you say domesticated?" she teased.

"Yes. I can spell it, too. K-E-E-L-Y."

Keely laughed, leaning across the counter to kiss him. She felt a wet nose nudging her firmly through her thin pant leg and she looked down into Sadie's big brown eyes. "Thirty miles? My poor baby!" Keely said sympathetically, breaking off a piece of her chicken and giving it to the dog.

"Hey, listen, she's gaining weight," AJ said, reprimanding. "The vet said she's got to stop eating table scraps or she'll be obese before long. That's why we ran so far. Besides, she loved it."

Keely clucked her tongue and shook her head. "The man's a slave driver, huh, Sades? Yeah." She scratched the dog's ears again and rose, washing her hands before returning to her own dinner. "You want to go eat this outside? The boats are starting to come in for the regatta this weekend."

"Sure." AJ grabbed his plate, balancing it on one arm. Tucking their water bottles under the other, he followed Keely out to the patio, overlooking the water.

Keely sat in the chaise lounge, balancing her plate on her knees. The spring breeze ran through her hair and she brushed it out of the way, sighing. "I really have to get this cut," she murmured, taking a bite of food.

AJ glanced at Keely, admiring her. "I don't know," he said softly. "I like the way it looks now."

Keely watched him curiously. "You like it longer?"

"Yeah. I think you look...more feminine," he said, stabbing a piece of chicken.

Keely chuckled. "I didn't think you noticed," she confessed. She ran a hand down to the end of her hair, twisting it up so she could look at the terribly split ends. "Well...maybe just half an inch, instead of my normal two."

Staring out at the water and chewing thoughtfully, AJ murmured, "I always notice."

Keely smiled quietly, focusing on her plate again. "Saders!" Keely called out as the dog edged the end of the pier. "Get back over here, young lady."

Sadie scampered back to the porch, lying quietly at Keely's feet. Keely sat back in her chair, smiling at the picture they made on the late spring night. They were, in their own right, a family, something she had longed for so much.

She snuck a look at AJ, who was finishing his chicken, and sighed internally. She hoped this new job would bring back the youthful spark she'd grown to adore about him.

*And what if it doesn't, Keely? What if it's not the job?*

Keely straightened in her chair, then rose to take the dishes back into the kitchen. "Did you want any more, or should I put it in the fridge?" she asked as she passed AJ.

"No, I'm done," he said, moving to follow her.

Keely rinsed her plate and left it in the sink for AJ to load into the dishwasher. She moved to the fridge, closing the Chinese boxes and placing them inside. She wiped off the counter, placing her leather portfolio where dinner had been. Sighing, she put on her glasses and found her gradebook, leafing through.

AJ shut the door behind him, heading over to start his 'chores'. He and Keely had established a familiar routine by this time. She bought dinner - or cooked, once in a blue moon - and he did the dishes. He did the laundry, and folded, Keely did the ironing, which AJ despised. He took charge of the bathrooms and she was Poopie Police. AJ would rather have scrubbed a thousand toilets a day than go outside with a blasted baggie and scoop up dried white dog doo.

Glancing up from the dishwasher, a comment froze on AJ's lips. He stopped to watch Keely unabashedly. His eyes traveled over her hair, tossed loosely into a clip, piled high on her head as bent over her work. Her eyes were focused, her tongue peeking from between her lips as she calculated percentages and averages. Her beautiful green eyes shone behind her gold-rimmed glasses, perched on the bridge of her nose. AJ simply stood there for a moment, mesmerized.

Keely felt his gaze on her and looked up, wiping around her mouth. "What, did I make a mess?"

"No," AJ grinned. "I was just watching you. Damn, why didn't they have professors like you at the Academy? I would've stayed late for tutoring every night," he winked.

Keely chuckled. Moving over to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, kissing his chin. "Well, you get extra credit points for sticking around now."

"Woohoo. Can we go in the bedroom? I'm feeling kind of stupid," AJ chuckled. "I think I need some instruction."

Keely kissed him again, shaking her head. "Sorry, old man, I have to finish these for tomorrow." She gathered up her papers and headed into the office. "But I'll probably need some distracting in an hour or so..."

Shrugging in defeat, AJ went back to the dishwasher. "Just gimme a holler when you're tired of putting red Xs on things."

Keely shook her head. "You know I'd much rather mark you up than freshman essays."

"Oooh, kinky," AJ called after her. "I'll get the handcuffs."

Keely burst out laughing, settling herself in the desk chair, turning Mozart on as background music. True to her word, she found her mind wandering an hour later, and meandered out into the living room, smiling at AJ from the doorway.

Glancing up from his book, AJ slid a bookmark into the new John Grisham thriller. "Yes?" he said innocently. "Can I help you?"

Keely crossed over to him, perching herself on the coffee table, drawing intricate patterns with her fingernails along the top of his knees. "Well, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"

"The bad, please." AJ set his book down next to Keely.

"Well, I still have a good hour to go with my grading." She scooted closer towards him so that their knees were touching, and her bare feet were tickling the top of his socked ones.

"Aw." AJ looked truly disappointed. "Well, what's the good news?"

"I'm really, really horny."

Raising one eyebrow, AJ simply sat there, arms crossed. After a long moment, he teased, "And what if I'm not?"

Keely's eyes widened as if she hadn't been expecting that. "Well," she shrugged, "I guess I could go down to the bars in Seattle and club hop. I'm sure to find someone who will..." She trailed her fingers further up his thigh, flitting dangerously closer to the inner part, "satisfy my needs."

Grabbing Keely's wrists, AJ lifted them off his legs swiftly, holding them fast, level with her waist. "You'd break my heart for some lousy little SOB you met in a club?" he growled teasingly.

Keely smiled enigmatically. "I wouldn't break your heart for anything, you know that." She shrugged, wiggling her wrists slightly. "But sometimes, we girls just have *needs.*" She tilted her head, scooting still closer to him. "Do you have needs, AJ?" she asked in a low whisper, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.

That sent AJ into a laughing fit. He held his sides, working it for everything he was worth. "Do...you have...needs, AJ?" he repeated between chuckles.

Keely mockingly glared at him, finally wriggling out of his grasp and standing, preparing to head back into the office. "Well," she said in a spitting tone, "I guess we've established *that.*" She moved back into the office, sitting back down at the desk, waiting for him to join her to continue their little game.

Strolling into the office, AJ squeezed between the back of the chair and the wall. He laid his hands on Keely's shoulders, squeezing softly. Leaning down, he whispered softly, "The only thing I need is you. Right now."

Keely grinned, then turned carefully in the chair. She looked up at him, looping her index fingers through his jean belt loops, and pulled him closer. She pulled herself up, wrapping one arm around his neck and the other playing with his polo shirt. "Well, I'm glad you feel that way," she replied just as softly, kissing his neck. "Because I've been needing you all day. It's very bad to be lecturing and have all these terrible, terrible thoughts running through your head."

"What kind of terrible thoughts?" AJ asked in a murmur. He was very much in a mood to hear every little detail tonight. His hands busied themselves tracing all of Keely's curves.

"Well, I was thinking about our shower this morning," she started, unbuttoning the two top buttons on his shirt. "How the water felt, beating across my face, as you made love to me."

AJ swallowed hard, already feeling the tension in his groin. "What else?" he asked, trapping Keely's hands by her side and lowering his mouth to her neck.

"I thought about how you held me last night, about how your arms know exactly how to comfort me. I thought about how only your eyes close as you come, nothing more... how you draw your lower lip into your mouth on the 'L' of 'I love you'." Keely tilted her head, giving him better access, but her fingers strained towards his hips, wanting some kind of physical contact.

Not releasing her wrists just yet, AJ drew his tongue across Keely's collarbone, amazed at all the little things she knew about him. "I was thinking about you while I was running. I kept thinking about your hands...how your little fingers feel on me."

Keely's stomach began to tingle and she leaned back, pushing the chair out of the way, resting against the desk. She allowed AJ to settle between her thighs, effectively trapping herself there for a little while. "I found myself thinking about how you always remember to hold the headboard when we make love, so we don't disturb anyone."

"I love how you make me let it go sometimes, 'cause it turns you on to hear us making that much noise." AJ freed Keely's hands, stepping closer and pressing her into the desk.

* * *

They'd ended up outside on the chaise lounge for an extremely daring, albeit quiet, lovemaking session.  Afterward, they lay on the chair, covered with a blanket AJ had thought to bring out with them.

Keely kissed his shoulder and looked up at him, the rising moon reflecting off his face. "I still have papers to grade, damn it," she said around a yawn.

"I'll wake you early," he promised, kissing her forehead.

She shook her head. "Nah, it's only like 9:30. I'll put in an hour before going to bed." Keely ran a hand lightly over his chest. "You understand that you, and only you, can get me to have sex outside and blow off all sorts of responsibilities, don't you?"

Nodding fervently, AJ chuckled softly. "And only you could get me to move three thousand miles and live in the middle of nowhere and be supported by a girl."

"Hey, I'm not a girl. I'm a *big* girl," Keely joked, pointing to herself like a three-year-old. She turned her head to look out over the water and then looked back at him. She kissed his cheek, snuggling against his collarbone to look at the rising constellations.

"Do you know which is which?" AJ asked her softly, cuddling Keely close.

Keely scoffed and nodded. "Of course." She pointed out a random group of stars. "That's the Big Dipper. There's the Little Dipper. And that's the Frying Pan, the Sauce Pan, and the Skillet."

Rolling his eyes, AJ put his hand over Keely's, pushing it down onto her stomach. "*That*," he said, raising his own hand, "is The Big Dipper. That's Orion. See that bright star? That's in the middle of his belt."

"Well, pardon me, Mr. PBS. Unlike some people, I don't have time to watch NOVA. I'm corrupting America's youth with my barrage of senseless information."

"Good to know," AJ laughed softly. "And I don't watch NOVA, I just paid attention in school."

"Wait, they knew about stars back then? Oh, was Galileo your teacher?" Keely nodded thoughtfully. "That would explain it. I had to rely on textbooks, myself."

"That's it," AJ growled, rolling over, trapping Keely between his frame and the arm of the chair. "I am sick to death of the old man jokes." His face was serious. "And if they don't stop soon, you're going to be sleeping by yourself for the next week."

Keely leaned back slightly, careful not to hit her head against the arm rest. "Well, I'm sorry, AJ," she replied truthfully, softly.

AJ held back for another minute, before his face broke into a grin. He leaned over, kissing her cheek gently. "See? I can kid, too."

Keely's mouth dropped open and she slapped his arm. "You're an ass," she declared.

"And you're gullible," he retorted.

"Only when it comes to you," she admitted softly. She stirred against him. "I really should go finish those damn papers so we can cuddle someplace warmer," she hinted with a small smile.

"Please wait until tomorrow?" AJ said softly, sitting up.

Keely cocked her head, watching him with interested eyes. "What, you want me to get pneumonia?"

"No, we can go inside," AJ answered. "I just don't want you to go yet."

Keely sighed. She'd have to get up about six to finish, something she detested...but when he looked at her like that...finally, she sighed again. "All right. But you're making me breakfast in the morning, so I'm not completely cranky."

The grin that spread across AJ's face was bright enough to read by. "I'll take you to IHOP," he promised.

Keely smiled along with him, and eased herself up off the lounge, buttoning her blouse for a little bit of modesty. She chucked him his boxers, since she knew he hated being without them, and gathered up her pants, heading towards the house.

*She knows you too well, old man,* AJ teased himself as he drew his boxers on. Following her quickly, he grabbed the throw.

Keely patted Sadie's head, and pointed to the dog's bed, a signal it was time for all of them to turn in for the night, even if it was only quarter of ten. Keely turned towards AJ, leaning against the back of the couch. "So, now that you've completely gotten me off task, what do you plan to do with me?"

AJ chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "Your call."

Keely thought for a minute. Finally, she held out her hand to him, leading him upstairs. She turned on the stereo to the soft jazz station they preferred, and then climbed under the soft duvet cover, waiting for him to join her. "Now, don't be getting any ideas, old man." she teased. "I'd just like to...talk for a bit, if that's okay."

"That sounds perfect," AJ admitted, settling himself under the pillowy down comforter. He patted his shoulder for Keely to lie on. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know," Keely replied, chuckling and scooting closer to him. "Shooting the breeze sounds nice."

Rubbing her back in slow circles, AJ said, "How's the semester going?"

"Fine, I suppose. They're all coming to me now because we have an exam next week, and of course, no one's been in lecture." Keely smiled. "Although, I was like that in college...never went anywhere other than the two clubs around campus."

"What kind of clubs?"

Keely chuckled. "Chess clubs, AJ." She shook her head. "Bars, mostly, although we'd go further into the city for the dance clubs. That's how Martie and I met, actually. A couple of girlfriends and I went dancing, and Martie got moshed into me. I helped her up, and we've been best friends ever since."

"Oh."

"What, oh?" Keely propped herself up on her elbow. "You weren't expecting that out of me?"

"No, I was just....oh." AJ smiled genuinely.

Keely chuckled. "I was pretty insane once I left DC for school. It was the first time I was away from Shaun, my parents." She shrugged, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "It wasn't until Shaun started to get sick towards the end of junior year that I put my ass in gear and tried to get back to the city to help him."

AJ nodded. "I know. It sounds like you had your time to have fun, though. Everyone needs that."

Keely nodded along with him. "Yeah, I guess." She chuckled. "Although, when I was nineteen, I don't think I ever expected my life to end up this way," she confessed.

"What did you expect?" he asked, his interest piqued.

"Well, I figured I'd have more of a social life, for one...with all my girlfriends, running around and picking up guys every weekend," Keely confided. "I don't know, I never really considered myself the 'settling down' type, you know? I never had many relationships in high school, or in college, and I certainly never saw myself getting married."

Nodding, AJ admitted, "Yeah, me either. I was really young when Marcella and I got married, and I wasn't thinking past the next day. And you...well, you're just different," he smiled.

"Well, thank you. I take that as a compliment." She smiled back, thankful that they had finally gotten to the point where they could talk about *anything* and not feel the least bit odd. Well, for the most part. "Have you talked to Francesca lately?" Keely queried, moving over to her stomach, but still watching him.

"She called the day before yesterday. Everything's fine, except her boyfriend is bugging the hell out of her." AJ chuckled softly, stroking Keely's hair. "I told her not to move too fast."

Keely smiled. "AJ, if you had your way, she'd be in a walker, you'd be dead, and she still wouldn't be married."

"Exactly."

Keely smiled. "Aw, come on, don't you want any grandkids or anything?"

"Nope." AJ grinned. "I'd prefer it if she became a nun."

Keely rolled her eyes. "You're terrible," she admonished. "I think you'd be cute chasing little grandkids around. I can just see you watching Barney and going to Disneyland."

"Bite your tongue," AJ admonished. "I'm too old and crotchety for that stuff." But it did give him pause: *how would I look in mouse ears?*

Keely leaned over and kissed his cheek. "You're not old," she replied. "Tonight proved it."

"Heh," was all AJ muttered.

Keely continued to smile and watch him, content. "Why do you think we've lasted so long?" she asked quietly, playing with the edge of her pillowcase.

"Luck?"

Keely chuckled. "Well, I hope it's more than that."

"Stubborn wills?"

"That too." Keely shrugged, stretching her feet out down the bed. "Do you ever wonder, AJ? What would have happened if you never came into my bar to talk to the SecNav? Or what would have happened if Shaun's liver transplant had been successful?"

"No. I refuse to think about that kind of thing." AJ shook his head slowly. "You just have to accept what is, not wonder about what might've been."

Keely yawned, her eyes closing slightly. "Do you think we made the right decision to keep trying, AJ?"

"Without a doubt."

Keely's eyes opened at that, and she smiled broadly. "Me too." She scooted closer to him, flopping her left arm over his chest. Kissing his clavicle lightly, she looked up at him with shining green eyes. "Me too."

* * *


Turning his key in the lock, AJ breathed a sigh of relief. The sun was sinking fast in the deepening Seattle twilight as he made his way into the living room, hanging his coat on the rack. "Keely?" he called. "You home?" He sank down on the couch, every fiber of him exhausted and frustrated.

Sadie bounded into the room, hopping up on the couch and kissing AJ's face happily.

Keely followed shortly thereafter, a long strand of garland wrapped around her neck. "Sadie," she said warningly, causing the dog to hop off the couch and sit by AJ's knee. Keely crossed over to AJ and kissed him hello. "Hey."

"She can stay on the couch," AJ said softly, patting the cushion for Sadie. Glancing up, a tired smile played across his lips. "Nice necklace," he said, fingering Keely's tinsel.

Sadie happily jumped back up on the couch, resting her head on AJ's thighs.

Keely smiled. "Well, today's December 1st, the official beginning to the Christmas season in the O'Reilly-Chegwidden home. I decided." She sat down on the coffee table, resting her knees against his. "I take it by the exhausted look in my favorite pair of brown eyes - other than Sadie's," she amended as the dog picked her head up, "that work wasn't so good."

AJ stroked behind the lab's ears. "No, it was fucking fantastic," he said sarcastically. "I'm sorry," he amended immediately, reaching for Keely's hand. "I'm not going to take this out on you. So tell me," AJ tried to smile, "what are we doing to commemorate the beginning of our first Christmas season together?"

Keely tilted her head, watching him closely. "You know you can rant to me. Lord knows I do it enough to you," she said simply, then changed the subject, rather than push him on it. "Well, we have to get my Department 56 up in the front hallway, and the wreaths, and the garlands, and the fake tree for upstairs, not to mention the real tree - but that happens end of next week. That's when the best ones come out." She smiled, watching his reaction.

Watching Keely attack the subject of decorating with such enthusiasm, AJ almost felt better. "Well, tomorrow's Saturday, so I guess we can start then. Oh, I almost forgot." Standing, AJ held out a hand. "I have a little surprise for you, since I had an idea you'd be a Christmas freak."

Keely took his hand cautiously, watching him carefully. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

"Don't be," he assured her. Leading her into the kitchen, AJ reached into the pantry, behind a can of corn. "I knew you'd never look in the kitchen," he teased. Handing her the little bag, AJ waited to see if she'd like them.

Keely opened the bag, reaching in, and smiling broadly. She pulled out the small Christmas Yankee Candles, shaking her head. "Mmm, poinsettia!" She kissed him thoroughly, the pine scent lingering between them.

Savoring her kiss, AJ started to smile. "I feel a little better," he said softly. "I'm glad you like my gift."

Keely smiled against his mouth. "I'm glad you feel better. And I love the gift...you know me and candles." She leaned back, searching his brown eyes. "I forgot to mention the graham cracker houses. Those are big. And the cookies for my students. We're going to have fun this year, AJ, I promise you."

"I've never had a good Christmas," AJ admitted. "A couple have come close, but something always happened. Maybe we can break my record," he proposed, his fingers playing with the edge of Keely's blouse.

Keely ducked her head to catch his eye. "Martie and I have the craziest Christmases. Well, had," she amended. "You haven't felt the fa-la-la-la-la until you've had an O'Reilly Christmas. It'll be great, I promise."

"Promise?" AJ grinned slightly. "This is going to be a new experience. And you know," he added softly, "just because I'm here doesn't mean Martie isn't welcome to hang out. I know you haven't seen her in a while."

Keely smiled gently, kissing him again. "Thank you. Maybe we can have a little Christmas party closer to the holiday...we'll invite Martie and David, some of my TAs, maybe a couple of people from your base, if you're up to it."

AJ nodded. "That sounds like fun."

Keely smiled, grabbing his hand. "Good. I'm glad." She started to head back into the basement. "You wanna help me get all the Christmas decorations up, or are you going to watch and laugh from the couch?"

"Let's wait until tomorrow," AJ said, pulling her back. "For now, I'm in the mood for some really good Chinese and a movie. Can I interest you in joining me?"

Keely cocked her head, pretending to think. "I could be persuaded."

"What would persuade you? If the movie was 'Sleepless In Seattle'?" he teased.

Keely stepped closer to him, running a finger down his shirt. "Well..." she said, "Make it 'Ever After' and Kung Pao chicken and you've got a deal."

"Kung Pao chicken, egg rolls and 'When Harry Met Sally'."

Keely sighed. "Kung Pao chicken, egg rolls, crab Rangoon, and 'Pretty Woman'. I know you have a thing for Julia Roberts."

Grinning, AJ released her. "You've got a deal, if you'll order dinner while I shower?"

Keely nodded, moving to the phone and pressing speed dial three. She placed their order quickly, then snuck upstairs, pulling her blouse from her pants. She pushed the bathroom door open and stepped into the shower, kissing AJ's wet back. "Dinner will be ready for pickup in twenty minutes. Got anything I can do in that time?"

Turning, AJ laughed softly. "Can't you go one day without molesting me?" he teased.

Keely bit her lip in thought. "Well....no."

"Good. But actually," he said regretfully, "I never thought I would say this, but I'm a little too tired now."

Keely smiled understandingly, kissing him thoroughly. "Well, I'm going to go dry off then." She stepped out, grabbing a towel from the closet. "I know we need milk...do we need anything else while I'm out getting dinner?" she called, rebuttoning her shirt.

"If you're going to the grocery store, get me a new toothbrush. Mine's about done."

"A toothbrush." Keely shrugged, zipping up her jeans. "All right, I'll be back soon." She headed downstairs, grabbing her keys and purse and heading out to her Celica.

"Be careful!" AJ yelled after her.

Keely arrived home half an hour later, calling out to AJ. "Ow, ow, hot Kung Pao!" She hurriedly set the cartons on the counter. "AJ, are you still running up my water bill?"

"No," AJ called, his voice muffled. "I'll be right out!"

Keely hummed to herself as she pulled the white cartons out of the bags, dishing a bit of everything onto their plates. As AJ emerged into the kitchen, she smiled warmly at him, handing him a full plate. "Feel better?"

"Much." AJ took the plate, digging in immediately. "Did you still want to go tree-shopping tonight?"

Keely shot a look at the clock and then shook her head. "It's a little late for that. But how about tomorrow? Gotta make sure we get the perfect one." She winked slightly, going to the fridge and grabbing the bottle of Kendall Jackson.

"If you'll get your keister out of bed before noon, we can go," AJ teased.

Keely poured herself a glass of wine, chuckling. "As long as you don't try and molest me, I'll get my keister out of bed before noon, and we'll go."

AJ feigned righteous indignation. "I never molest you."

Keely rolled her eyes, moving into the living room and propping her feet on the coffee table, taking a bite of dinner. "Right."

AJ followed her, sinking to the floor at Keely's feet. "Right, my ass. You're the one who jumps me before I even open my eyes!"

Keely took a bite of rice, and then leaned down and kissed behind his ear. "Are you complaining, old man?"

"Not a bit, kid," AJ said softly as a shiver chased itself up and down his spine.

Keely kissed gently again and then sat up, eating more of her dinner, a self-satisfied smile on her face.

* * *

"Once upon a Dec-ehm-ber," Keely sang, grinning at AJ from the driver's seat the next morning. "I give you ten minutes before you run screaming from the Christmas happiness," she teased.

"Twenty."

Keely laughed, parking the car at the Christmas tree lot. Turning in her seat, she smiled at him, taking his gloved hand in hers. "You ready to have fun, old man?"

"Oh yeah. Bring it on," AJ grinned.

"All right!" She hopped out of the car, darting on to the lot. She began to study each tree meticulously, taking her bottom lip into her mouth in deep thought. Finally, she circled a blue spruce and pointed it out to AJ. "What about this one?"

AJ frowned, circling the tree like a dog greeting a newcomer. "It's too thin in the back," he declared. "If we're still planning on putting it in the open area of the living room, you're going to have a huge bare spot."

Keely's mouth quirked as she considered. She looked at the rest of the lot, then scampered to the other end when she found a tree she liked. "Come get me, AJ!" she teased, sticking her head out from around her second choice.

Tracking her by the bootmarks in the relatively fresh snow, AJ snuck around behind the tree. "Boo."

Keely jumped slightly, laughing and turning towards him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and nodded to the tree next to them. "I like this one, too."

AJ looked the tree over carefully, testing the branches and checking for bare spots. "Looks good," he agreed.

"Yay," Keely replied, motioning to a volunteer to prepare the tree to be taken home. She looked back at AJ, smiling. "You having fun yet, old man?"

Nodding, AJ squeezed Keely's hand. "You bring out the kid in me. Of course, that's because you act like a two-year-old."

"Are you complaining?"

"Nope, just stating the facts." AJ turned as the attendant cleared her throat. "Eighty, right?" The woman nodded. AJ handed her a hundred dollar bill. "Thanks," he said, reaching for Keely's hand again. "Merry Christmas."

Keely trampled through the snow, swinging their arms, grinning up at AJ. Truth was, he brought out the kid in her; she'd been so serious and driven during the two years they were apart, and now, when she was with him, she felt able to relax, enjoy life. They reached the car and Keely smiled broadly, watching her reflection in the tinted windows. She couldn't wait for the party.

As if reading her mind, AJ asked, "The party's is in two weeks, right?"

Keely nodded, climbing into the car. "Well, a little over two weeks, on the twentieth." She sat back in the seat, buckling her seatbelt. "Actually, I wanted to get your opinion on what to wear. I have that short black dress, or that green velvet two piece thingy. What do you think?"

"I don't know, why don't you model them for me when we get home?" AJ winked at Keely as they headed for home.

Keely decided on the velvet outfit, with its squared top and short skirt, which AJ had declared was the best outfit to show off her legs in. They had finished the decorating beautifully, and she managed not to burn the real gingerbread men he'd taught her to make. She glanced over at the tree, with its white lights and various ornaments, one of which was his first Christmas present from her: a golden bulb that said, "Our First Christmas".

She smiled at him from across the room as she spoke with her lead TA, Miranda, and her husband.

Glancing away from conversation he was involved in, AJ winked at Keely.

Keely continued to smile lovingly at him, now half distracted from her conversation with Miranda. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Martie standing behind her, popping cheese squares into her mouth. Keely rolled her eyes and excused herself, moving back into the kitchen to speak with Martie. She shot a glance into the den, where the partygoer's children were watching "A Muppet Christmas Carol", making sure no one was breaking AJ's model ships or their computer.

Martie opened up another bottle of wine, refilling her glass. "You need to stop making googly eyes at AJ," she remarked, grinning at Keely.

"Will you excuse me?" AJ said to the young Commander he was talking to. He slipped into the kitchen, attacking Keely with a passionate kiss. "God," he whispered. "This would be so much more fun if I didn't have to be a grown-up and keep my hands off you," he laughed softly.

"Um, hello, excuse me, there are people in the room who are *not* horny!" Martie said, waving at AJ. She rolled her eyes and returned to the party.

"Hey, who do you think you're kidding?" AJ called after Martie. "We know you, remember?"

Keely laughed, moving to kiss him again when a small voice popped up behind AJ. "Miss Keely?"

She leaned around AJ to find Miranda's daughter Emily standing there. "What's up, Em?"

The four year old pointed back into the den. "It's the scary part, with the ghosts."

AJ glanced from the child to Keely, with a shrug of his shoulders.

Keely murmured, "Miranda's daughter," and then crouched in front of Emily. "Do you want to stay in here with me until the part ends?"

The little girl nodded, and Keely smiled gently, lifting her up onto the counter. "Oof, Em, you're getting big. What are you, thirty?"

Emily smiled, shaking her curly red head. "No, Miss Keely, I'm four!"

Keely went to reply, and was interrupted by the front door. She sighed, looking at AJ. "Could you just stay with her for a minute while I get that?"

"Sure." AJ stepped forward, leaning on the counter. "Hi...Emily, was it? I'm AJ."

Emily nodded, looking at him curiously. "Miss Keely has a picture of you in her office," she declared, swinging her legs over the edge of the counter.

"She does?" AJ smiled genuinely. "Do I look silly in it?" he asked, scrunching his nose up.

Emily shook her head slowly. "She says you're pretty. Not girl-pretty like me, but pretty." She looked around her at the snacks, and then looked back at AJ. "You look like my grandpa."

"Well, thank you. That's a good thing, right?"

Emily nodded vigorously. "Yeah, 'cause he's fun. Are you fun?"

AJ grinned. "I can be. What do you think is fun?"

Emily bit her lip, deep in thought. "I like coloring." She looked over at the fridge, then turned back to AJ, brow knotted in confusion. "You don't have any pictures on your fwidgewator. Mommy puts my pictures on the fwidgewator."

"Well, I don't have anyone to draw pictures for me to hang on the 'fridgerator," AJ explained. "If someone drew me a picture, then I'd put it up."

Emily looked at him curiously. "You and Miss Keely don't have babies, like me and Mommy? Mommy's having a baby," she informed AJ.

"Well, congratulations!" AJ smiled. "No, Miss Keely and I don't have babies," he echoed the little girl, with a wistful smile. *Oh, to be thirty again and do it all differently.*

"Why not?" Emily asked. "You're fun. And then, you'd have pictures for your fwidgewator."

"Well..." AJ trailed off, thinking. Why not? "I already have a little girl, only she's all grown up," he tried to explain.

Emily smiled. "Is she four years old like me? Then we can play together!" she said excitedly, swinging her legs again.

"Oh, no, she's *much* older than four." AJ chuckled, thinking of what Francesca would say when he reported this conversation. "She's older than *twenty*," he said, making it sound positively ancient.

'"Wow," Emily replied. "Dat's old. Does she have babies? Then her babies could draw you pictures."

"No, she doesn't have any babies yet. But maybe soon." AJ smiled at the prospect. "You know, though," he added, "I do know someone who's four years old. His name is AJ, like mine."

"Does he live in Sea--Sea--does he live at my house?" Emily asked excitedly. "Then we can play. I like playing, even if it is with a *boy*."

"No, he lives far away, in Washington, DC. But if he comes to visit, I promise I'll bring him over to play with you."

"Oh." Emily nodded.

Keely, who had watched the latter part of the interlude from the doorway, cleared her throat softly. "Hey, Emmimee, the scary part's over, if you want to go back and finish watching the movie."

Emily nodded excitedly, and held her arms out to AJ, asking silently for help down from the counter.

AJ picked Emily up, depositing her on the tile with a little grin.

Emily smiled up at him, then hugged his knees. "Thank you, Miss Keely's friend. Will you come and watch the movie with me?"

"In a minute. You go ahead." AJ turned to Keely with a grin. "She's adorable."

Keely smiled and nodded as she watched the little girl return to the den and the happiness of the Muppets. "So are you," she replied, shooting him a look.

"Nah." He stepped forward, enveloping her in his arms. "Can we go to DC next month, just for a little vacation?" he asked, sounding remarkably like a four-year-old.

Keely nodded slowly, looking worriedly at him. "Missing everybody?" she asked sadly.

"Yeah," he admitted. AJ buried his nose in Keely's hair, kissing her temple. "But I love you, so it evens out."

Keely ran a hand up and down his back as the doorbell rang. She sighed, leaning back and kissing him lightly. "I love you, too." She extracted herself from his arms, motioning to the front door. "You go enjoy your new girlfriend. She likes you," Keely teased, moving towards the foyer.

"Hey, I only have room for one woman in my life....over ten," he teased as he disappeared into the den. "What did I miss?" he asked Emily, settling himself Indian-style on the floor.

Keely watched him go into the den, and then hurried to the front door. She checked the peephole and then threw it open, an ear-splitting grin crossing her face. She put a finger to her lips, ushering the guests into the dining room adjacent to the living room. She moved quickly back into the den and said softly, "AJ? I need you for a minute."

Emily looked up at her with sad eyes. "But Miss Keely..."

Keely smiled at the little girl. "I promise I'll have him back in no time, okay, Em?"

The little girl sighed and nodded, turning her attention back to the TV.

AJ stood, following Keely. "What's up?" he asked.

Keely took his hand and led him into the living room. "Can I have everyone's attention for a minute?" The conversations ceased and Keely smiled. "Well, the last guests have arrived, so I wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you for coming out on this terribly chilly night to spend it with us." Keely smiled and looked at AJ. *He won't know what hit him,* she grinned. "Now, you know I consider you all my family, but AJ here," she paused, squeezing his hand lovingly, "his family's back in DC." She turned to AJ fully now, barely containing her laughter and excitement. "I know we weren't supposed to exchange presents before Christmas Day, but this one came a little early." She crossed over to the French doors separating the dining room and den, and opened them. "Merry Christmas, AJ."

"What in the world?" AJ turned from Keely, his eyes taking a full thirty seconds to register the posse in the dining room. "Mac?!" he exclaimed.

Mac, along with Harm, Harriet, Bud, little AJ and Catie, the youngest Roberts child, stepped into the living room, smiling broadly, all taking turns to hug AJ.

Keely stepped back, slinging an arm around Martie's shoulders. "We did good, kid," Martie murmured, and Keely only smiled.

"Lieutenant," AJ said out of habit, immediately correcting himself. "Harriet." He embraced the blond, patting her back gently. As AJ stepped away, he smiled. "How did you all arrange this without my finding out?" he asked, leaning down to pick up Catie.

Mac smiled at Keely. "It wasn't easy, believe me. But Keely managed to charter a plane to get us out here in time, and we've been checking our email every hour, thanks to Webb, to make it look like it was coming from Washington, and to make sure you had a prompt reply, as if we were still at work."

"Good lord, you all are worse than the Spook," AJ grinned. "How is Webb, anyway?"

"Still obnoxious," Harm replied immediately.

"What's ob-nox-sus mean?" little AJ asked his father.

Bud opened his mouth to reply, but cut off by a glare from Harriet, he shook his head at his son. "Not nice," he replied finally.

"Oh. You'll tell me when I'm older?" he asked, hopeful.

AJ laughed softly. "Hey, AJ?" he said. He could never get over the feeling of deja vu....it was like talking to himself.

"What Uncle AJ?"

"I have someone I want you to meet." Smiling broadly at Keely, he led little AJ into the den. "Emily, this is the other AJ I was telling you about. And this is Catie," he said, setting her down and crouching among the kids. "She's a little bit younger than you and AJ, but she's cool."

Emily smiled shyly, looking from little AJ to big. Finally, she shrugged, and pointed to the screen. "That's Rizzo. He's a rat. Not a *scary* rat, just a rat."

"I know who Rizzo is," AJ said disdainfully. "I have all the Muppet movies at my house."

Catie pointed at the screen, grabbing big AJ's shoulder and shaking him as hard as she could. "Kermit!" she squeaked excitedly.

Bud, who had followed AJ as he deposited the children, said warningly, "AJ Roberts, you be polite, young man, or we're going back to the hotel."

"Yessir." The little boy flopped down on the carpet, poking at an unused throw pillow. "Can I have that?" he asked Emily, just as Catie sat down...on her brother.

Emily smiled, handing him the pillow and returning her own attention to the movie.

In the living room, Keely smiled at the new guests. "Can I get you guys anything? Some wine? Munchies?"

Harm smiled gratefully. "We ate on the plane," he said sarcastically. "You know they call a bag of carrots and a piece of bread a *meal* nowadays?"

Keely chuckled. "Shocking, I know. You should launch an investigation." She motioned them into the kitchen, where she watched AJ watching the children. Every penny, every minute she'd spent working on making sure AJ didn't find out, had been so worth it.

AJ stood, glancing at the kids with a smile. Grasping Bud's shoulder, he drew the younger man out of the den. "How's work, Bud?" he asked, actually interested.

Bud smiled. "It's good, Sir. Very busy lately, but productive. The Colonel and the Commander are both up for promotions later this year, I believe, so that's causing a lot of excitement."

Harm rustled around in the leftovers, grabbing some fixings and throwing together sandwiches for the group. "Mac, mayo or mustard?"

Mac smiled. "Both."

"I would imagine so," AJ said, fairly bursting with pride. "Any word yet on whether they'll come through?"

Bud shook his head. "Nothing official, but I'd bet so." He leaned around AJ, peering into the kitchen, seeing sandwiches being made, and then snapped back to a loose attention in front of AJ. "Sorry, sir."

AJ laughed aloud. "Oh, for Christ's sake, Bud. I'm not your C.O. anymore, relax."

Harm finished up the sandwiches, putting them on paper plates and adding chips. "Food's up!" he called to Harriet.

"Oh, do excuse me," she said sweetly to Miranda, with whom she'd been discussing the second-baby blues. "I'm famished."

Bud smiled, motioning to the kitchen. "Would you mind if I...?"

Rolling his eyes good-naturedly, AJ gestured towards the kitchen. "After you."

Bud moved quickly to the kitchen, kissing Harriet's cheek as she offered him a sandwich. Mac and Harm sat on the stools across the counter from them, happily munching on ham and cheese, and plain cheese sandwiches, respectively. Keely rested herself against the far counter, next to the back door, watching with a smile, winking at AJ as he lingered in the doorway across the kitchen.

Harriet slid her free hand into Bud's, smiling happily.

Grinning like an idiot, AJ made his way across the kitchen, kissing Keely's cheek. "Thank you," he murmured, his heart full to bursting. "Thank you so much."

Keely patted his cheek. "Merry Christmas," she replied softly, her eyes filling with tears for reasons unbeknownst to her. "I love you," she mouthed, then started to step away from him, saying, "If you all will excuse me, I do have other guests to attend to."

"Hey," AJ said, reaching for her hand. "I love you," he said, loud enough for the kitchen-full of people to hear. Releasing Keely's hand, AJ smiled, proud of himself.

Keely smiled broadly, kissing his cheek. "Well, from the huge diminishing of my bank account, I love you, too." She squeezed his hand. "Have fun." She moved back into the living room, mingling with the rest of her guests and giving AJ his private time with his family.

After a few minutes of conversation, AJ caught Harm's gaze, tipping his head to the side, indicating the back door.

"Excuse me a second, Mac?" Harm stepped toward the door and out into the bitter cold.

Mac smiled and nodded, fixing herself another sandwich and talking with Harriet.

"My, how secretive," Harriet commented with a grin. "And did you see his smile?" she laughed. "He's simply a different man!"

* * *

AJ closed the door, speaking softly to foil any eavesdroppers. "Harm, do you remember last year, when we came to DC? I asked you about proposing and marriage."

Nodding, Harm replied, "Of course. What about it?"

Fishing the little box out of his pocket, AJ handed it to Harm discreetly. "That look okay?"

"Whoa." Harm stared at the sapphire and diamond ring for a moment before closing the box and slipping it back into AJ's palm. "Looks fine," he said simply. "When?"

"Christmas Eve?"

"Good. Private or public?" Harm asked.

"Was going to be private, but since you're all here...with you?"

"Sounds fine. I don't know her too well, is Keely going to be okay with us being there?"

AJ snorted. "Harm, I'm giving her an engagement ring. She'd be okay with it if I did it in the shark tank at Sea World."

Harm nodded with a chuckle. "Then yeah, Christmas Eve, with all of us. Good idea."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"We have coffee cake," AJ said, changing the subject before it got too mushy. "You want?"

"Sure."

Mac and Harriet looked up as the two men reentered the house. As AJ moved towards the fridge, Mac bent her head next to Harm's. "What was that all about?" she asked quietly.

"Nothing," Harm replied, giving her a quick kiss. "You'll see on Thursday," he contradicted himself.

Mac raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. She turned to Harriet with a knowing smile, and rinsed off her plate, leaving it in the sink.

Keely entered the kitchen, grabbing the bottle of wine. "There's plenty of food in the fridge if you guys are still hungry, just help yourselves," she shot over her shoulder, moving back into the living room.

"Great, thanks," Harm said with a grin. "You know, she's really something else," he said, nodding towards where Keely had been.

Mac nodded in agreement. "Absolutely."

* * *

Keely finished putting the silverware on the dining room table, humming along with "Santa On the Rooftop". The doorbell rang and she smiled, calling upstairs to AJ. "They're here, AJ!"

"I've got it!" he yelled at the same time. He hurried downstairs, throwing the door open. "Hey," AJ said as if he hadn't been waiting all day for this.

Mac smiled, entering the house first, handing AJ a bag of presents to go under the tree. "Merry Christmas," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Keely came out of the dining room, smiling warmly. "That's quite a stash you've got there, guys!" she said, leaning around Mac to see Bud and Harriet getting little AJ and Catie up her icy front stoop without falling, and trying to balance their bag of presents. "It looks like Santa's already been to your house."

Catie laughed. "Not Santa, Momma!"

"Geez," AJ groaned. "What's in here, rocks?"

Keely helped AJ usher everyone inside, hanging up their coats in the closet, smiling at the obvious delight on AJ's face. "Dinner should be ready in about an hour. I never knew hams took so long!" She looked at Harm. "I also made a vegetable lasagna, if you'd rather have that."

Harm glanced at AJ in surprise. "She's a winner, keep her."

Keely smiled, moving back into the kitchen, getting some eggnog for the adults and sparkling cider for the kids and Mac, if she wanted it. She caught a glimpse of herself in the oven. *Domesticated, my God.* She shook her head, grinning.

"Hey, Keely, can I give you a hand?" Harriet asked, slipping in unobtrusively.

Keely smiled at Harriet. "I'd love that," she replied. "I'm not a very good cook," she admitted.

Harriet shook her head with a radiant smile. "I'm sure you did fine," she assured Keely. "Ham isn't that hard to get right." Peering through the glass door, she nodded, pleased. "It looks just right." After a short pause, Harriet added, "We can all see how happy AJ is...thank you."

Keely smiled shyly as she added a little more salt to the mashed potatoes. "He makes me happy," she added. "Sometimes I wonder why I spent thirty years waiting for him," she chuckled. "You want to taste test for me? I can't tell if they're too lumpy."

"Everything comes in its own time," Harriet said wisely. She took a forkful of potatoes. "Try using an egg-beater and adding some milk, they're just a tad thick."

Keely nodded, searching through her drawers for a beater. "Do little AJ and Catie like anything special for Christmas? I picked up a pumpkin pie and some ice cream, but I can run out and get something else..."

Harriet hurried to stop that train of thought. "No, no, don't go to any trouble. My kids know to eat what's given to them," she smiled proudly. "Thank you for having us," Harriet added, reaching over and patting Keely's hand. She felt like a mother-in-law. *It's good practice,* she thought with a mental laugh. "We were all so thrilled, Harm and Mac included, that you invited us for Christmas. It means so much to be able to spend it with AJ - and you," she added with emphasis.

Keely smiled back, calming herself. "Thank you, Harriet. I needed to hear that." She turned her attention back to the potatoes. "I'm so glad it all worked out. After all the subterfuge, if it hadn't, I don't even know what I would have done!" She chuckled. "I just wanted to make him as happy as he's made me." She held up a forkful of potatoes for Harriet to taste. "Better?"

"Perfect!" Harriet exclaimed softly. "And Keely? I think you make AJ happy just by being with him," she said quietly. "By the way," she said, gesturing toward the crashing and voices coming from the other room, "get used to this. You're family now, and we're all going to feel free to overwhelm you," Harriet teased.

Keely chuckled, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I won't mind at all," she replied. "I don't have much family, so this..." she winced at the crashing of one of her porcelain figures, she was sure, "insanity is very welcome."

"Well, that's a relief!" Harriet laughed. Turning toward the living room, she called, "Bud! What did you break?"

"Nothing! It was the dog!" he called back, causing Keely to laugh and look at Harriet. "It probably was," she admitted. "That dog...she's worse than a baby sometimes, I tell you."

"Clean it up!" Harriet ordered.

AJ laughed, reaching for the dustpan, which he kept close at hand. "It wasn't anything important," he called to Keely. "Is dinner almost ready? We're starving."

Catie clapped her little hands. "Ham?" she asked. "'Taters?"

Keely stuck her head in the living room, shaking her head at Sadie as she hid behind the couch. "Yeah, it's almost ready. You can start sitting down, if you want."

They all moved into the dining room, crowding around the table. Little AJ ran his fingers over the tablecloth. "Look, Momma, it's Santa Claus," he pointed to the pattern. "And elves. And reindeer."

"Yes, sweetie, I see that. Who's missing?" she asked.

The little boy furrowed his brow in thought. "Me?"

Keely moved back and forth from the kitchen, placing the dishes on the table. After she finally put the last side dish on the table, she sat next to AJ, smiling again at the pure joy emanating from him. *Well, shit, if all I had to do was bring his friends out here for Christmas, I'd have done it a good while ago,* she thought to herself, chuckling lightly.

* * *

Dinner, thankfully, went off without a hitch, and Keely was pleased that everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the meal. She started clearing the table, saying to AJ and Catie, "Why don't you guys go start scoping out the presents, if it's okay with your Mom and Dad? I can watch from the kitchen."

The children bounded off, and Keely quickly finished putting the leftovers in the fridge. She moved back into the living room, perching herself on the arm of AJ's oversized chair, watching little AJ and Catie tear into their presents with unchecked enthusiasm.

AJ's hand absently rubbed Keely's back and he rested his head against her side.

Poking Mac in the side gently, Harm nodded toward AJ. "Look at that," he marveled in a whisper.

Mac smiled, her grin widening as Keely wrapped an arm around AJ, rubbing his shoulder languidly. Keely smiled as Catie showed her a new Barbie doll. "That's great, Catie! I wish I had one," she said sincerely.

"Maybe for your birthday," AJ teased softly. As the stack of presents slowly disappeared, the wrapping piling up in its place, he seized the opportunity. With his heart in his throat, AJ got up and strolled over to the tree. "Excuse me," he said to little AJ, reaching around the boy to grab a small box from under the gaily lit tree. Sitting back down, AJ handed the little wrapped carton to Keely, saying, "This is for you."

"What?" Keely smiled, looking at him, confused. "What is this?"

"It's Christmas Eve. I'm handing you a present. I think maybe it's a Christmas present?"

Keely rolled her eyes, turning the box over in her hands. "We promised, not until tomorrow," she protested.

AJ laughed. "It's Christmas, Keel, be spontaneous." *Geez, make this a little harder,* he thought with a grin. *I'm not already dying of anxiety or anything.*

"Well, all right," she said, looking at everyone else, who seemed to be watching her intently. She undid the ribbon and paper slowly, revealing a Zales box. Her mouth dropped open, and she pinned AJ with her eyes. "If you bought me those pearl earrings, I'm kicking your a--er, six."

"No, they're not the pearl earrings," AJ promised her. "In fact, this kind of matches the other pieces I gave you," he hinted.

Keely's hand trailed up to her ears, where her sapphire earrings dangled, catching the Christmas tree lights. She opened the box slowly, a beautiful ring glinting in the same flickering light. She looked, shocked, at AJ, her mouth dropping open and her eyes barely able to question what the hell he was doing.

Harm stood up quietly, making his way to the stereo and flipping it on. "All I Want For Christmas Is You" began to play in the background, as AJ had requested.

"Keely," AJ began, trying to force back his fear. "You know I love you more than anything in this world. I've never been happier than I have been with you, these past two years. Now, you know me well enough to know that I'm not a traditionalist. I don't believe in things like marriage, but...well...I figured what the hell," he finished with a chuckle. Sliding the bright blue sapphire out of its white velvet box, AJ tilted the ring so that Keely could read the inscription. He knew he'd be too chicken to say the words...'Will you marry me?'

Keely's mouth dropped open in shock as she looked from it to AJ and back again. "Oh, holy *fuck*," she replied, immediately covering her mouth with a very shaky hand. "I, uh, well..." She looked at AJ, quivering from head to toe. "Are you sure?" she asked quietly, still not believing what was happening.

Harriet shot her children a look before they could open their little mouths. She shook her head firmly and they sat there, silent.

"I'm sure." AJ kept his eyes level with hers. "Is that a no?" he asked, suddenly very nervous. He hadn't considered the possibility that she might say *no*.

"Oh, God, no...I mean, no, it's not a no..." Keely took a deep breath and cupped his cheek. "Yes," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'll marry you. God help me, AJ, I'll marry you."

"Thank God," AJ breathed. He stood up, pulling Keely into his arms, and squeezing her tightly. He buried his face in her neck, saying a silent prayer of thanks.

Keely hugged him tightly back, her shoulders shaking in a combination of laughter and tears. She leaned back and burst out laughing, shaking her head at him. "Give me a fu - freaking heart attack, why don't you, old man?" She took a deep breath and rose on her toes, kissing him among the "ewwwws" of the Roberts children, and the "awwwws" of the adults.

AJ couldn't hear a thing except the beating of his heart. He pressed his lips to Keely's in elation. "I love you, kid," he murmured, when they finally separated. "Forever."

Keely smiled broadly against his mouth. "I love you," she replied, looking up at him with shining eyes. She looked down at his hand, where he still held the ring. "Can I see it?" she asked quietly, chuckling.

"Do you really want to?" AJ teased as his pulse slowly returned to normal. "I mean, it's not a diamond solitaire or anything."

Keely glared at him. "I want a memento of the first time I truly saw you petrified, old man," she teased back, unable to stop smiling.

"You've seen that already," AJ said, holding the ring just out of Keely's reach. He was smiling so broadly his face was starting to hurt. "Remember, about five years ago? There was an incident involving me and a karaoke machine."

Keely threw her head back and laughed. "You weren't *that* scared...were you?"

"Absolutely, terribly, mind-numbingly scared. And then you're like "Are you sure?". Were you *trying* to kill me?" he bantered, lowering the ring and reaching for her left hand.

Keely laughed again, watching him slip the sapphire on her slender fingers. She looked back up at him, shaking her head. "Well, this certainly has been a Christmas to remember."

"Every day with you is a day to remember."

Keely smiled again, rising and touching her lips to his, a precursor of things to come. When they separated, she looked at him. "You understand I have to go call Martie now."

"Yes, yes, go ahead, kid," he grinned. "I'll manage to survive without you for fifteen minutes." AJ laughed, kissing her once more.

"I love you," she whispered, then bounded off into the kitchen.

"Martie! You will NEVER, in a BILLION years, guess what just happened!"

AJ just shook his head, glancing at Harm and Mac with a shrug. "So, anyone want coffee?"

* * *

Keely rubbed her bare arms as she waved goodbye to the retreating line of rental cars making their way carefully down the icy driveway. Little AJ and Catie had curled up on the floor - and against Sadie - watching the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street" and had fallen soundly asleep. Bud had followed shortly after, which prompted Harriet to deem it time for the families to head back to the hotel.

Keely shut the front door, bolting it with a smile. She looked at the clock in the foyer, and smiled.

12:03.

Officially Christmas.

AJ came around the corner, his hands wet and smelling like Dawn. "Everything's loaded into the dishwasher, the pots are soaking and the leftovers are frozen or Saran Wrapped," he declared proudly. Glancing around the room, he chuckled. "What a mess." The wrapping paper and bows were strewn around, making it hard to step anywhere without getting something stuck to your shoe by errant scotch tape.

Keely chuckled, crossing her arms and surveying her living room. "Such is life with small children and Santa Claus." She moved under the sink, gathering a large green garbage bag. She quickly stuffed the leftover paper, ribbons and bows inside, resting it outside in the garage after she was finished. She shrugged and sighed, looking back at AJ. "I'll vacuum tomorrow," she said with a smile. "Did you have a good time?"

"Better than I could've imagined," AJ admitted, reaching for Keely.

Keely wrapped her arms around his waist, kissing his neck. "I'm so glad. Not because you proposed," she joked, "although that was a highlight...but I haven't seen you smile this much..." she tilted her head, thinking. "Well, ever."

AJ laughed softly. "I've never been this happy. Everyone I loved was with me for the holidays, except Francesca," he frowned slightly, but a smile quickly replaced it. "I have you, a nice house, a good job, and a great step-dog." Chuckling, AJ kissed Keely briefly. "What more could I want?"

She smiled, moving her hands from his waist to around his neck. "Merry Christmas, AJ," she said softly, kissing him gently.

"Merry Christmas, Keely." AJ returned her kiss. "And congratulations on your engagement," he teased.

Keely laughed outright. "You, too, old man, and for making it through without a major coronary." She shook her head. "I don't think I've ever been so surprised," she admitted, moving to the far wall and turning off the lights, leaving the room only illuminated by the Christmas lights.

"You really didn't have a clue, did you?" AJ laughed. "Do you know how hard it was to find out your ring size *without* letting Martie in on the secret?" He sank back on the couch, opening his arms to his fiancée.

Keely laughed, curling up next to him, resting her head on his chest. "I can only imagine. Although, she told me to tell you she might never forgive you for not letting her be here to see it." She smiled up at him, trailing a finger down his shirt front.

"She'll live," AJ smiled. He reached for Keely's hand, curling his fingers around hers. "I'm glad everyone else was here to see it, though," he murmured. "They were so happy for us."

Keely nodded. "I'm glad they were here, too. Although, I wish they could stay a little longer. Little AJ and Catie are hysterical."

"They'll be back," AJ promised. "I'll see to it." He paused, inhaling Keely's scent. "Are you happy?" AJ asked softly.

Keely leaned back, searching his eyes lovingly. "More than I ever thought I could be," she admitted quietly. "I'm waiting for Sadie to pounce on me and wake me up...this has to be a dream."

Smiling broadly, AJ drew Keely closer and held her tightly against his side. "Then why would you want to wake up?"

Keely chuckled, wrapping her arms fully around him and watching the tree lights flicker. "You're right," she conceded. "So I'll just pull a Rip Van Winkle for the rest of my life." She chuckled, then spoke again, quieter. "What about you?"

"I can't think of the word I want." AJ frowned in thought. "Ecstatic? Unsurpassably joyous? 'Happy' doesn't cut it," he grinned. "Maybe the word I'm looking for...is 'sated'."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Keely teased, kissing his neck. She watched the tree for a few more minutes and sighed, drawing his arms more fully around her, finally content.

* * *

"Keely, can you get that?" AJ shouted over the ringing phone. His hands were tied at the moment--literally. Sadie had wrapped her leash around his wrists in her excitement to go for a walk around the block. "Keely!" he bellowed as the phone rang incessantly. "Phone!"

"All right, all right, I'm coming." Keely hurried into the kitchen from the den, picking up the phone. "Hello?" She snapped her fingers at AJ. "Yes, he is, Admiral, just a second." She put the phone on the counter and walked over to him, unwrapping his wrists. "It's the base."

"Thanks." AJ took the phone, leaning against the counter. "Chegwidden." He paused, listening.

"AJ, it's Jack. Listen, I hate to do this to you, but we have a situation."

AJ frowned. How often had he been the one to say that, and drag someone away from their family during the holidays? "What is it?"

"The Charlie Hudson is in wet dock just outside of Port Seattle, with two JAG lawyers on board. They seem to be at a standstill, and if the situation isn't resolved by tomorrow night, since it's a Friday, the entire crew will be stuck on board for New Year's. We were hoping you'd give them a hand in straightening it out. Strictly voluntary, of course, but we're in a bind."

"So I'd only be gone until tomorrow night?" AJ clarified.

Keely looked up from Sadie with a confused reaction. She ordered the dog to sit, and sighed when Sadie didn't, but followed Keely into the kitchen as she listened to AJ's conversation. "What?" she mouthed, not sure if he could reply.

Covering the mouthpiece, AJ whispered, "I might have to go on assignment." He turned his attention back to the conversation. "Yes, sir."

"I'd really appreciate your help, AJ. Can you do it?"

AJ glanced at Keely. "Hold on for one second, Admiral." Lowering the phone to his side, he murmured, "I have to, Keel. I'll be back by tomorrow night." He wanted her approval but he knew he was going with or without it.

Keely nodded and smiled. "No problem," she whispered. Motioning to Sadie, "I'll take the monster out for her W-A-L-K, you deal with that."

"Okay, thanks. I love you." AJ lifted the phone to his ear. "Admiral, I can be at the base in half an hour. Okay." He hung the phone up and headed upstairs to grab a change of clothes.

When he came downstairs, Keely was in the kitchen, pouring fresh water for the dog. "Hey," he said, coming up behind her. "I'll miss you."

Keely turned, smiling. "I know. But it's only for today and tomorrow. I'll survive. It'll be tough, but I'll survive." She ran her arms up and down his arms. "And then I'll get to welcome you back," she grinned.

Grinning, AJ teased, "And we can admire your ring some more."

Keely held up her hand, the heavy weight still foreign, but not unwelcome. "I can do that, too. I think that's what I'll probably do, come to think of it. Just sit here and look at my hand, and write 'Mrs. Keely Chegwidden' all over my notebooks." She grinned again, kissing him lightly.

"Wow, that's very....twelfth grade of you," AJ laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist in a familiar gesture. "I'll see you Friday night." He held her tightly against him for a moment, kissing her temple as he released her.

Keely watched him head out to his car. "Be careful," she called as he started the Explorer.

AJ smiled, waving to her as he pulled away. "Always," he called.

Keely waved slightly, shutting the garage door. She turned and looked at Sadie, hands on hips. The dog wagged her tail against the floor and Keely chuckled. "All right, baby girl, let's go walk along the water." The dog woofed her agreement, and the two set out into the peaceful afternoon.

* * *

Stepping onto the deck of the ship, AJ inhaled deeply. *It's been too long, squid,* he chastised himself. *You've become a desk jockey.*

"Admiral!" The ship's public relations man hurried to greet AJ. "Sir, welcome to the USS Charlie Hudson. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to the captain. They're expecting you."

AJ glanced around the deck at the bustle of activity as the crew prepared for the anticipated weekend leave. "Thank you, Petty Officer." He followed the young man below deck, arriving quickly at the conference room. Rapping quickly, the sailor announced AJ. "Captain, Admiral Chegwidden is here."

Striding into the room, AJ's eyes flew from one crew member to the next, automatically seeking out the Captain's bars.

"Admiral," the woman said with a half-smile. "I'm Karen Wilhelm. Welcome to the Charlie Hudson."

"Thank you, Captain Wilhelm." AJ saluted her quickly. He may have been an admiral, but this was her boat, and he was retired. *Mental note: look up the protocol for formal introductions involving retired personnel.* He gestured toward a vacant seat. "May I?"

"Please." The captain took her seat at the head of the table, surveying her team. "Admiral, these are the JAG Pacific attorneys, Lieutenant Commanders Michelle DeBarker and Chris Bennett."

"Commanders," AJ nodded.

"Admiral," the Commanders replied, nodding towards him. "Thank you for taking time to assist us," DeBarker continued, looking back to Captain Wilhelm to continue the briefing.

Following her lead, AJ sat back, listening to the Captain.

"I'll explain what I know so far, briefly. I was on watch last night, around ten hundred hours. Ensign Faber--Billy--ran onto the bridge. He was incoherent, babbling something about blood. I gave the bridge to my XO and followed the Ensign. When we arrived at his quarters, I found his bunkmate, Ensign Tyler Graves, in a pool of blood. I pulled Faber out of the room and declared it off-limits until you all arrived." Captain Wilhelm sighed softly. "I hope you can help us out here. My crew is anxious to leave the boat. They haven't had shore leave in over three months, and I hate keeping them here any longer than necessary."

"We've investigated Faber's medical and mental histories, both clean," Commander Bennett added. "We've also ruled out a suicide by Ensign Graves. The coroner says he was hit in the back of the head with a blunt object."

"That certainly rules out suicide," AJ said with an agreeing nod. "Have you started interviewing the crew yet?"

DeBarker nodded. "They say Faber and Graves were buddies, no arguments as far as they could see." She smiled slightly. "So, you see, Sir, we're at a relative dead end, if you'll pardon the terrible pun."

Nodding slightly, AJ concurred. "Okay, let's start by encouraging the lab a little, to get us some fingerprints from Graves' quarters, and see if we can find the murder weapon."

DeBarker nodded, then turned to Wilhelm. "I'll go bug the lab, if it's all right, Captain. Commander Bennett can show Admiral Chegwidden to the crime scene, ma'am."

"That's fine, Commander. We'll expect you back in a few hours, then."

"Aye, aye, ma'am." DeBarker rose, nodding towards AJ. "Sir."

"Commander," AJ nodded. He turned to Bennett. "Where are their quarters?" he asked, following the other man out of the room.

"Room Tango Bravo Three, sir," Bennett replied, ushering him to the cabin in which Faber and Graves had been staying. He ducked under the yellow crime scene tape and motioned to the bottom bunk, still stained with blood. "This is where the Captain found Graves," Bennett stated.

Glancing at the chalk outline, AJ looked around the little room cursorily. "Has everything been searched and documented?" he asked. "Computer disks, hard drive, email logs?"

Bennett nodded slightly. "His hard drive was password protected, so we sent that to the lab as well. His lockbox held a few personal pictures, but nothing else."

AJ reached for the box of latex gloves that the NIS investigator had left on Graves' desk. Snapping one on, he lifted the mattress, pointing underneath. "Commander Bennett," he said quietly. "What does that look like to you?"

Bennett bent as well, looking at the stack of folded letters. He put a latex glove on as well, reaching in and drawing the dozen or so envelopes out onto the desk. "Well what do you know," he said in awe. "They go back at least a year," he commented, leafing through the stack.

"That's what we in the Navy call 'thorough'," AJ grinned. "And it's why the NIS will never replace the JAG Corps when it comes to investigations." Glancing over Bennett's shoulder, AJ commented, "Let's send those down to the lab, see if anyone's prints are on there but Graves'."

Bennett nodded, taking the letters carefully. "Do you have a theory, Admiral?" he asked quietly, watching AJ work.

"If you had a lockbox, Commander, would you keep your letters under your mattress?" he asked rhetorically. "Not unless you knew someone was snooping in your lockbox."

Bennett shook his head. "Unbelievable," he said under his breath. "Faber?"

"Maybe." AJ's tone was noncommittal. "I want to interview everyone who saw Graves and Faber on their last shifts before Graves died."

Bennett nodded. "I'll go find those lists, Admiral, and drop these," he held up the letters, "off at the lab, unless you need me for something else, sir."

"No, that's all." AJ had slipped right back into command mode. Slipping up the tiny staircase, he felt the crisp Seattle wind battering his face. AJ heard the crackle as his cell phone dialed up the house. It rang twice before Keely picked up. "Hi," he said immediately.

"Hey," Keely said with a surprised smile. "I didn't think I'd hear from you so soon."

"Well, I got a little break," AJ said, standing at the rail, glancing out over the Pacific. "How's Sadie?"

"She's fine. Martie's over here, and she brought Max over to play, so they're out chasing leaves or ducks or something." Keely tucked her feet up under her. "You seasick yet?" she teased.

AJ laughed aloud. "Keely, I spent half my life on carriers. Besides, we're not moving."

"I know. I'm just giving you a hard time. I'm sure you're having fun, though, even if you are on investigation. You've probably got that big 'I'm a Navy Admiral' grin on your face, am I right?"

Coughing slightly, AJ tried to force the grin to subside. "No," he lied, laughing at himself.

"Right," Keely said disbelievingly. "Well, that's what you were built to do, AJ, you go ahead and do it. Although, you'd better be back by New Year's. I don't want to have to kiss Sadie at midnight."

"As long as she doesn't try to give you tongue...."

"Oh, God, AJ. That's it, I'm hanging up." Keely chuckled. "I'll see you tomorrow, old man. And I'd better not get a call from the Navy asking me to come down there and haul your sorry ass off that ship because you won't leave."

AJ just laughed. "I promise, I'll come home before I wear out my welcome."

"All right, that's all I ask." Keely smiled as Martie came into the house with the dogs trailing behind her.

"Down with phone sex!" Martie cried, parading into the kitchen. "Down with phone sex!"

Keely laughed, rolling her eyes. "I need to go kill her now. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll see you--what the hell?" AJ interrupted himself as the general quarters alarm sounded. "I've gotta go," he hollered into the cell phone. "That's the battle stations call. Bye, Keel!" He hung up without waiting for a reply.

"AJ? AJ?" Keely looked at the phone curiously. Martie came into the room, munching on an apple. "What happened?"

Keely shook her head. "Alarms or something. I'm sure everything's fine," she said, looking at Martie. "Right?"

Martie nodded. "Everything's fine," she echoed. "They're in port. What could go wrong?"

* * *

Just as AJ got below deck, the alarms were cut off. The captain's voice came over the intercom. "This is the Captain. I'm sorry to spook you all, disregard the general quarters alarm you just heard."

Shaking his head in disbelief, AJ found the ward room and shut himself in, flipping on the TV. "I wonder how much of this has already been leaked to ZNN," he said aloud.

The reporter was standing on the dock....*could that be the hull of the Charlie Hudson behind her?* AJ wondered. "The two were killed as they returned to the ship from Kings County laboratory, apparently. Though most of the information has been classified by the Navy already, we do know that the investigation aboard the USS Charlie Hudson involves the death of a male crew member, an alleged murder." The reporter went on to say, "The murder of the JAG investigators is assumed to be related to the investigation, although no one seems to have any comment at this time."

AJ clicked the remote, silencing the television. *Graves and DeBarker.* He was getting in deeper by the minute, it seemed.

Petty Officer John Michaels threw the door open to the War Room, latching it quickly. He turned and saw AJ, snapping to immediate attention.

"At ease. What's your hurry, son?"

Michaels threw a look at the door before replying. "I was in the head when I heard yelling and hollering, Sir. Apparently there's a rightist Armenian group looking for Ensign Faber, and they've got enough arms to blow us back to Michigan. They've taken over the ship, sir."

"Holy fuck." AJ took a deep breath. "Where are they?"

"All over the ship, Sir. I hid in the head until I heard them pass, and then hauled six down here."

"Okay." Thinking quickly, AJ decided on a plan. "I'm going to the bridge," he informed Michaels. "You stay here, and see if you can get someone on the local band radio." He unlocked the door, heading down the hall as if he knew nothing.

AJ took two steps until a gun was cocked behind him. "Don't move another step, or I'll shoot," a lethally cold voice said behind him.

"I'm not moving," AJ replied evenly, raising his hands slowly.

The young Armenian man stepped forward, pressing the gun into AJ's lower back. "Where were you headed, sailor?" he asked crisply.

"To the bridge. I have duty in five minutes," he lied.

"How convenient. That's where I was going," the terrorist replied, forcing AJ forward. "Let's go together, shall we?"

"Why not?" AJ shrugged, starting forward slowly.

The terrorist kept the gun planted firmly in AJ's back, and they reached the bridge in a few minutes. The man pushed AJ into a corner, where the deck crew huddled quietly. At the front of the ship, two more terrorists held Captain Wilhelm. The three Armenians spoke quietly until a walkie talkie crackled to life.

AJ's terrorist yielded the communication, then turned to his colleagues. He walked over to AJ, gun level with his hip. "Where is Ensign Faber?" he demanded.

AJ shook his head. "Last I checked, he was in the mess hall, but he could be anywhere by now." Glancing down beside him, AJ saw the young Ensign crouched there, frozen in fear. Her eyes reminded him of Harriet's, wide and honest. "It's okay," he whispered, putting an arm around her shoulders reassuringly. "Don't worry."

The terrorist looked back at his comrades, who radioed the information through the walkie talkie.

The Ensign looked at AJ. "Thank you, sir," she said shakily.

The walkie talkie blared a thickly accented voice once more, and the same young man approached AJ again. "You will tell us where Ensign Faber is, or your Captain dies," he warned. "Where is he?"

"I already told you, I don't know." AJ's voice was firm. He risked a glance at the Captain.

Wilhelm shook her head almost imperceptibly. *Don't worry about me,* her look said.

The terrorist moved to speak again, but was cut off by a small woman entering the bridge. She tilted her head, motioning for him to join her. They spoke quietly, and she pointed to the door, taking his gun.

The woman looked the small group, keeping her gun leveled with their abdomens. "Where's Faber?" she demanded.

"We don't know," AJ spoke for all of them. "He hasn't been seen for hours."

She cocked her head, pinning him with dark, angry eyes. "I don't believe you," she spat. She swung her arms until the gun was level with the young woman who was standing next to AJ. "Where is he?" she demanded again.

The Ensign's eyes widened. "I...I don't know, I swear."

The Armenian set her mouth, then fired one shot into the Ensign's leg. The blonde crumbled with a sob. The Armenian turned, nodding to her comrades. "Get her out of here."

Growling, AJ dropped to his knees, putting his arms around the young Ensign, murmuring comforting words. "Back off," he warned the soldiers. "I already told you, we don't know where he is," AJ repeated vehemently.

"I don't believe you," the Armenian replied, putting the gun against the back of AJ's head. "This is your ship, he is your crew member. You *have* to know where he is. And if you don't tell us, we start killing."

"This isn't my ship. I work at the base," AJ explained, still holding on to the wounded young woman. "And these people have no idea where he is. He was supposed to be on duty half an hour ago." He glanced at Captain Wilhelm discreetly.

The Armenian looked at him, then moved back to Wilhelm. Tugging the Captain out of the other terrorists' handholds, she pressed the gun deep into Wilhelm's back. "Well, Captain, we're going to find him, then." Motioning to the wounded Ensign, she spoke curtly in Armenian to her henchmen, and they began to move back towards the blonde.

AJ had to make a move fast, before the blood really started to flow. "Wait," he said, standing. "Let's talk..."

End Ch. 8