Disclaimers: same as before.
This time I am going to request 10 reviews before I update, PLEASE?
And for those of you who might be curious the song that plays at the beginning of this chapter is actually called It's Called the Todd Bertuzzi by Heavy Eric and it's based on a Vancouver Canuck hockey player (Todd Bertuzzi, #44).
And any songs that Nicole or Ewan sings that I don't say who they are by is from the movie Moulin Rouge, which belongs to the all powerful Baz Lurhmann.
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur
0230 ZULU
December 24, 2003
still somewhere in the Persian Gulf
The next thing I know I am awakened by the weirdest song I have ever heard "He's spinning all around, gettin' everybody woozy. He's 245, it looks like the Watusi. Here he comes, he's got the moves of Lenarduzzi. I said, Uh Uh, it's called the Todd Bertuzzi! 44! It's called the Todd Bertuzzi..."
"Tuna, what kind of crap are you waking me up with on Christmas Eve?" I asked curiously.
"Harm, for your information it's a song my sister emailed me. It's about a hockey player she absolutely adores, and thinks is the greatest thing this side of sliced bread. Quite frankly I think he's a bit of a goon myself, but hey, my sister has a crush. Besides, I think the song has a great beat." Tuna countered.
"Sure, you keep telling yourself that, and maybe someday I'll believe you." I jokingly throw back his own words at him. I looked at my watch. "I didn't realize it had gotten so late. We should get ready for the show. Did the Captain say anything about wearing uniforms to the show?"
"Unfortunately, for us he did. We can't just wear our flight suits, we actually have to wear our uniforms. So lets get rolling." Tuna commented.
Two hours later everyone was assembled aboard the deck of our carrier. We were all anxiously awaiting the start of the show, when Captain Mitchell walked up to the microphone, and called us all to attention.
"I'd like to welcome aboard the performers today for the USO. We all appreciate that they took time away from their own Christmas celebrations to be here today to give us a warm sendoff home. So before I bore everyone to tears with me speaking, I would like to introduce your hosts for the evening. Mr. Billy Crystal and the Divine Miss M, Bette Midler." With that Captain Mitchell stepped back from the microphone and shook hands with both of the hosts as he passed them. After he shook hands with Bette she whacked him on the butt and he just smiled.
"Thank you for the wonderful welcome, Pete, I mean Captain Mitchell. And an even bigger thank you to all you sailors and marines." Billy stated.
"Yes, Captain it is wonderful to be aboard a ship where there are so many good looking men. I just have one question though. Does anyone ever call you Maverick anymore? Or is everyone too scared of you now?" Bette laughingly asked.
"Ms. Midler, you can call me anything that you want, as long as you call me." The Captain shouted and giving Bette his best flyboy grin.
"Bette am I going to have to dunk you in the ocean just to cool you off now?" Billy asked.
"No, but before anyone gets too upset with the delay, maybe we should get on with the show." With that Billy and Bette launched into a hilarious version of the Village People's In The Navy. They also sang We Hate to Leave before Billy left the stage to let Bette sing two songs on her own, From A Distance and Boogie Woogy Bugle Boy. Then Billy came back onstage and Bette left, giving him a kiss on the cheek as she passed him.
"For your next performers we searched high and low until we found these guys whose father grew up on television. I am sure many of you will either remember them or their father. Without further ado, direct from Southern California, and America's third generation of #1 hit makers, Gunnar and Matthew Nelson." Billy left the stage and shook hands with the Twins as he did so.
The Twins thanked everyone for having them, and then launched into their set which included the songs Love Me Today, Love and Affection, I Can Hardly Wait, After the Rain, Only Time Will Tell, and the old song from the movie Follow the Fleet called We Saw The Sea.
"For our last song, we want to do a special request. While talking the other day with a sailor the subject of a lost love came up. I offered him some advice, and I am glad to say he took it. This is exactly what he wanted me to say today...From a Squid to his Jarhead, I have loved you since we met in The Rose Garden." Gunnar recalled. Then they broke into their song Everywhere I Go, but not before whispers were heard round the deck about a sailor being in love with a marine.
Yesterday a sad goodbye
I told you that it wouldn't be for long
But it seems like a thousand years since I've been gone
Oh, what I'd give to hold you in my arms
Can't you see how much I need you tonight
I'm going crazy girl, can't get you off of my mind
Everyday that I live without you
I just can't help but dream about you
Everywhere I go
And after all the love that I've left behind me
You're the one I keep inside me
Everywhere I go....I get that feeling
It's hard to be so far apart
When thoughts of you keep coming on so strong
I picture you in every face I see
Now I know I left a part of me back home with you
There's nothing like falling for the very first time
I won't forget you girl, for the rest of my life
Everyday that I live without you
I just can't help but dream about you
Everywhere I go
And after all the love that I've left behind me
You're the one I keep inside me
Everywhere I go
I get that feeling...
Everywhere I go
I get that feeling
You're with me everywhere I go
Everyday that I live without you
I just can't help but dream about you
Everywhere I go
And after all the love that I've left behind me
You're the one I keep inside me
Everywhere I go
So when you're feeling lonely baby keep on shining
You'll always be here right beside me
Everywhere I go
After the song was over Billy Crystal came back on stage. "Thank you for those wonderful songs. For our next act we have a husband and wife team who I am sure you all will love. May I introduce to you Mr. Tim McGraw and his wife Faith Hill."
Tim and Faith came out and sang several songs including, My Best Friend, This Kiss, and I Like It. When they were done Bette came back onstage. "Do any of you females out there agree with me that Tim has the greatest butt in the world?" More whistles and catcalls were heard. Bette continued "Our next guest was supposed to be Jennifer Lopez, but unfortunately she was not able to come because she got the flu. However, I think we more than made up for it. I want to welcome another really nice guy, and a dear friend to the stage. You all know him and love him as either Dr. Sam Beckett from Quantum Leap or Captain Jonathan Archer from Enterprise. Mr. Scott Bakula." Cheers were heard as Scott made his way to the stage.
"I am glad I could come out here. I am not much of a singer, but I hope you enjoy it." Scott then launched into several songs he had performed while on Quantum Leap including Medley from Man of laMancha, Somewhere in The Night, Fate's Wide Wheel, and Imagine. He also sang the theme song from Enterprise, Where My Heart Will Take Me.
But, unbeknownst to everyone, a lone marine was making her way to the side of the stage. Once there she gave a note to Bette Midler. Who, upon reading the note, realized who the marine was. She took the note back to the next two performers and explained everything. They immediately agreed to the scheme. And the lone marine made her way back to where she had been standing behind a group of naval aviators.
Then Billy came back onto the stage. "I want to introduce our next two performers by saying they are two of the most Marvelous people on the planet. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor."
Nicole sang One Day I'll Fly Away and Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend. Ewan sang Your Song, Lonesome Town (Rick Nelson), Me & My Wine (Def Leppard), Gimme Danger (from the movie Velvet Goldmine), and One Year of Love (Queen). Then they both sang the Elephant Love Medley and The Show Must Go On.
"Just before we came onstage I was, I mean we were handed this note and asked to read it to you all and dedicate this song. The note reads...To my Flyboy, I have loved you since The Rose Garden as well. Turn around please. Love your Ninjagirl." Then they started singing Come What May {a/n the version from the end of Moulin Rouge that Nicole starts the singing}.
Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
I want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I love more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing
Come back to me and forgive everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time
Come what may Come what may
Come what may Come what may
I will love you until my dying day
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide Sing out this song
I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather And stars may collide
But I love you until the end of time
Oh, come what may, come what may
I will love you, I will love you
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
At the beginning of the song I turned around and saw a sight I hadn't expected to see for a few more days. And regardless of who might be watching I walked over to Mac and pulled her into my arms. I just held her while we were both listening to the song. And as the last notes of the song were drifting over us I leaned into her and placed a very gentle and sensuous kiss on her lips.
When the song was over and the kiss had ended Bette came back onstage to introduce the final performer. "For our last song I want to introduce all of you to the wonderful, extremely talented and absolutely gorgeous Ms. Jenny Lake."
Jenny took to the stage wearing the same gown she had worn all those years ago, 34 years to be exact, and it still looked good on her. "I just want to wish everyone here a wonderful Christmas, and I hope you are all able to get home by New Year's. The song I am going to sing for you this evening is one that I sang so many years ago when I was on board the Ticonderoga. I want to dedicate it to all of you here, and to those servicemen and women who aren't. But most especially I want to dedicate this song to two individuals who will always hold a special place in my heart. One I met and befriended 34 years ago and the other I only met a few years ago. The first went down on Christmas Eve 1969 and the second is his son who followed in his father's footsteps and became a naval aviator. This is for Lieutenant Harmon Rabb Sr. and Commander Harmon Rabb Jr." With that Jenny launched into I'll Be Home For Christmas.
I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams
Mac and I just stood there with our arms wrapped around each other listening to the music, but not noticing anyone else around us. Even when Keeter finally came up to me and tried talking to me, I ignored him.