…Till Death Does Us Part Chapter II – Part 3/26
Disclaimer - See part one for all important informationTuesday December 16
11:45 AM
JAG – Naples, Italy
Mac sat in her new office working on some case files when her yeoman, Petty Officer Lois Banker, buzzed her.
Mac's hand hit the talk button on the phone. "Yes, Petty Officer."
"Ma'am, there is a gentlemen here to see you," Lois said with a mild stumble in her voice.
Mac looked at her door wondering who was behind the closed oak. "Gentleman?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Does he have an appointment?" Mac asked as she closed the case file.
Lois took a second to answer. "No, Ma'am. He say's he's a friend."
Mac sighed. "Send him in."
"Yes, Ma'am." Lois compiled before she hung up her phone.
A few seconds later Mac's office door opened and Clayton Webb walked in. Mac looked up at him and felt her anger at him grow. She glanced at Lois who was standing by the door. "Thank you, Petty Officer," Mac politely said as Clay smiled at the young girl.
"You look good behind that desk, Mac." Clay grinned.
Mac looked up at him. "How's the nose?"
His smile fell from his face. "Good, I can finally breathe again."
"Should have hit you harder," Mac muttered.
Clay took it upon himself to sit down in a chair in front of her desk and watch her. Mac folded her arms in front of her chest. "If you're here to borrow people from my office, the answer is no."
"I'm not here to borrow anyone."
"Good," Mac snapped. "Then tell me why you are here."
"I'm here to make amends," Clay stated.
"Apology accepted, you can leave now," Mac told him in her no nonsense voice.
"Let me take you out to lunch."
"No."
"Sarah, please. I want to talk to you."
Mac sighed knowing he wasn't going to go away. "About what?"
"Us."
"I'll make this conversation quick. There is no us, and there never will be an us."
"Mac, one lunch and then I am out of your life forever," Clay pleaded.
Mac thought over his words. She picked up her phone and waited for Lois to answer. "Do I have anyone stopping by in the next hour? ....... Okay. I'm going to head out for lunch; I'll have my cell phone with me in case anything happens."
She hung up the phone. "You have one hour."
Clay grinned as he stood up. "Great. I know this great little café just a few blocks away. We can walk there, it's a nice day."
Mac stood up and grabbed her coat and cover. "Don't make me regret this."
12:32 PM
Café Gambrinus
Mac and Clay had just finished their lunch in the small café. They shared basic small talk about nothing at all, and Mac was just waiting for Clay to drop his news.
"I'm on a mission," Clay announced to her as they were enjoying dessert.
"That's nice," Mac calmly said before taking a bite of the sweet chocolate.
Clay looked deeply at her. "I'll be gone for a while."
"Clay, why are you telling me this?"
"I just want to know, is there a chance at all for us?"
Mac tried not to laugh at him. "No, Clay, there isn't. I'm not sure there was ever a chance for an us at all."
"Do you love him?"
"Who?" Mac asked, hoping Clay wouldn't bring up Harm's name.
"Harm."
"Clay, I'm not here to discuss Harm or you for that matter," Mac stated before finishing her coffee. "If you want me to wish you luck on your mission I will, but don't ask me to answer questions about a relationship that wasn't going anywhere."
Clay thought for a few seconds about her words. He wondered if the relationship she mentioned was his or Harm's. "Can we at least be friends?"
"How about acquaintances?" Mac suggested.
Clay reluctantly shook his head knowing he would never be more to Mac. Mac finished her coffee. "I need to get back to the office."
Clay stood up, as did Mac. "Yeah. Do you like it here?"
"I do." Mac smiled. "It's just what I needed."
"Mac, I don't know if it means much. But I'm proud of you getting this command." Clay kindly told her.
Mac gave him a sweet smile as they walked to the door of the café. "Thanks, Clay, and good luck on you mission."
"Thanks, Mac," Clay said as she walked down the street towards the JAG office and out of his personal life.
"Mac, wait!" Clay called after her as he quickly walked towards her.
"What is it, Clay?" Mac stopped and asked a little bit annoyed.
"Please, have dinner with me tonight."
"No."
"Come on Sarah, one last dinner before I'm out of your life," Clay begged.
"You said that already about lunch, and you are still here."
"Please."
"Okay. When and where?"
"I'll pick you up at 7:00 pm."
"No, just tell me when and where, and I'll be there."
Clay gave her the information she needed and she walked back to her office.
Clay watched her and smiled. 'It's not over yet, Sarah. It's not over yet.' He thought before he turned around and walked back to his hotel.
End Part 3