When David and I got to the set, once again I was left breathless. Large gold letters decorated the side of the building, spelling out JAG. It was just as I had pictured it would be… only, not quite as elegant. Actually, the building looked more like a warehouse than a movie set. Various trailers decorated the grounds making it seem like we were about to go camping. I tried to calm my nerves by taking a few deep breaths. David pulled up beside the building in a designated parking spot, after being checked my a security guard at the gate. I was given a visitors pass and a gruff "good morning."
David helped me off of the bike and rested his hands on my shoulders. Giving me his one eyebrow-up look that I had come to be quite accustomed to, he waited for me to look him in the eye. When I finally did, he asked me if I was going to be okay.
"Yeah… I mean, my nerves are still a bit raw, but I feel safe with you here." A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, "And that security guard at the gate—whew! Someone should give him a cup of coffee or something. I doubt he would let the President in if he had asked."
David smiled, going along with my attempted humor. I could sense that he was still worried because he held my gaze slightly longer than I was comfortable. Finally, realizing that he wasn't going to get any more out of me, he led the way inside.
Inside of "JAG Headquarters" was a whole different story. The place really did look like a bull pen, not that I knew what one looked like, but I assumed that is what it would look like. People were bustling everywhere, similar last minute shoppers on Christmas Eve. Taking a deep breath, I determined not to lose David in all of the people.
Suddenly we stopped. Confused, I started to say something, when I realized that Catherine Bell was standing in front of me. My jaw dropped and stayed that way for a full minute. It probably wouldn't have ever closed had David not said something to me.
"Hmm?" I focused my eyes solely on him so as not to stutter.
David had a twinkle in his eye as he turned back to Catherine and joked, "Don't worry—she only stays speechless for the first few days."
I blushed as I realized that he had been talking about me.
Deciding to prove him wrong, I held out my hand confidently to Catherine.
"Hello. My name is Delancey Jaidyn—my friends call me Jaidyn. I am attending UCLA to get my master's in screenwriting. David decided that my writing was so good, that he had me follow him home one evening. Since then, he refuses to leave me alone."
Catherine had a grin on her face as she returned my handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Jaidyn. I trust that you are keeping David in his place?"
"Well, I try. Between Nanci and I, I think we have it covered."
She laughed. "Good to know. Well, hopefully we can chat more later, I have to go to make-up. Darci is going to give me an earful for being late."
After Catherine left, I let the speechlessness take over again as David introduced me to other characters on the set. All of them were very pleasant and offered to talk with me later.
At one point David bent down to whisper in my ear, "Do you need to use the restroom? You look like you just wet your pants."
Without thinking, I slugged him in the arm. Just then Donald walked up. "Is that the way to treat my main character?"
Oh crap, I thought to myself. I want to be a screenwriter and I make a wonderful first impression by hitting David right in front of the guy whom I most need to impress.
"No… sir?" I could have kicked myself for adding the sir. But at the moment, I really did feel like a naval officer being sized up by her officer in charge.
Donald offered a slight smirked and then turned to David to discuss something regarding the show. Once again, I had time to breathe.
After David had made the rounds, greeting everyone, he told me that he needed to get ready. I was more than welcome to hang out in his trailer, or I could find a quite spot on set. I opted to stay as close as possible. One of the crew members found me a chair and I sat spellbound until lunch.
At 1:30, the cast and crew broke for an hour lunch. David asked me where I wanted to go and I suggested getting subway and then driving to a nearby park. He was more than happy to comply, even though I thought that he might chide me for being asocial.
The park was deserted at 2:00 in the afternoon. I was grateful. The solitude allowed me to drop my guard a bit. Travis was jogging along the track that circled the park. Thankfully, David didn't mind my reflective mood. I needed the time to process. David respected that.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent much like the morning. I found a quite corner, mentally kicked myself for not having my homework (though, ultimately, not caring) and watched as nearly a full episode of JAG was taped right before my eyes. Occasionally, cast and crew would talk with me; though, rarely was I paying attention enough to respond. I silently prayed that they would accept me as David and his family so generously had.
As we made our final goodbyes, I stifled a yawn.
David draped his arm around my shoulders as we left JAG HQ.
"I love it when you get British, squirt."
Surprised, I glanced up at him. My British accent, compliments of my step-dad, always came out when I was tired. Apparently, he had picked up on this.
"Stuff it, Dave." I said, leaning against him as we walked to his motorcycle.
He squeezed my shoulder. "Are you making it okay?"
I was a trembling mess, but the day was over. Patching over the shakes was becoming all too common for me.
"I could use a Pepsi."
"That I can probably arrange. How about if we drive back to the house, get your stuff, and you and Travis can stop at a gas station on the way back to UCLA?"
I tensed at the mention of Travis's name. I hated the idea of having constant surveillance. It made me feel as if I was 12 instead of 21. Finally agreeing, I replied reluctantly, "Okay… are you gonna tell Nanci about today?"
David avoided the question for the moment as he helped me on the bike. Placing his hands on my knees, he looked me in the eye.
"You know the answer to that."
Nodding, I felt tears sting the back of my eyes. David squeezed my hand and climbed on the bike, driving us back to his house so I could get my stuff. Nanci enveloped both of us in a hug as soon as we came in the door. She could sense something was wrong, but could also sense that David would tell her after I left.
Silently, I left the house. Travis followed a few steps behind and climbed in my car with me. Thankfully, he wasn't much of a talker either. I don't think I could have handled petty conversation just for the sake of filling the silence.
Only when we were at school did Travis speak. "I am going to keep watch outside tonight. Tomorrow I will talk with the Dean and see what kind of arrangements can be made for me. I promised David I would protect you—I don't intend to let him down."
Sighing, I nodded and walked to my room. Somehow this would all get better… somehow…
