Will You Always Be There?
Chapter 60
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the JAG characters…They belong to Belasarius productions that hold them hostage and make them do their evil bidding...smile.
I don't own any product or label mentioned for the purposes of telling this story.
Any similarities to situations or persons living or dead are purely coincidental.
Spoilers: Anything up to and including the current episode is fair game. Any spoiler floating around out there may be loosely referred to.
A/N: Many thanks to aerogirl for her beta reading skills and excellent input.
1200
Saturday
February 19
Gunny Galindez's apartment
Alexandria, Virginia
Gunny lay stretched out across his bed. He was vaguely aware of sunlight in the room through his closed eyelids. What time was it, anyway? He opened one eye and saw the digital clock at his bedside table. Twelve noon? He groaned audibly and got up from his bed.
He had stripped out of his uniform and fallen into bed as soon as he walked in the door last night. He walked to the mirror, squinting at himself. He flinched; God… he looked rough today. Splashing cold water on his face, and carrying his towel with him, he padded into his sparsely decorated living room and kitchen. Gunny was definitely a no frills man. He filled the carafe with water and got out the coffee more from memory than sight. A benefit of no frills lifestyle: you knew exactly were everything was.
After the coffee had brewed Gunny stood looking out his window onto the street. He lived on the second floor of his apartment building. He was jet lagged pretty badly this time and, if he would have admitted it, damn sore…all over. As he poured his second cup, he heard a car door slam, and he looked up just in time to see Jen get out of her car. He saw her glance at his truck in its parking place. As he slowly put down his coffee cup, it dawned on him that he was standing there in nothing but his underwear. He made a dash for his bedroom and pulled on a pair of jeans.
The door bell sounded. "Just a minute." 'Great,' Gunny thought. 'I haven't even shaved.' He grabbed a shirt out of his closet and pulled it on over his head. It was a black long sleeved t-shirt. He opened the door.
Jen stood in the doorway. "Hey, Gunny." She couldn't believe how glad she was to see him.
"Hello, Jen…." He just stood there, taking her in. She was wearing her 'I'm only 18' expression today. She looked all wide eyed and innocent; her hair was down around her shoulders.
Jen frowned slightly. "I guess I could have waited 'till Monday to say hello, but I just drove by to see if you'd gotten in yet."
Silence.
"Look…I'm sorry…I'll just see you Monday." She looked as though he had slapped her.
Gunny came to himself. "No...No, Jen, come in…I'm jet lagged…I just got up."
Jen was surprised. "You slept 'till noon?"
"Yeah, I just made coffee…do you want some? It's not Starbucks, but I make a good cup of coffee." He was beginning to be able to make conversation. 'Wake up, Galindez!' he thought.
"I think I'll pass. I've sampled your coffee at the office." Jen folded her arms across her chest. She hadn't seen Victor like this before. He was always sharp; she was usually the one trying to keep up.
He didn't answer her, but instead just walked back into his kitchen to get his coffee.
Jen watched him, and as she did, she realized how much she had missed him. She blushed at the thought.
"So…when did you get in last night?"
Gunny came back into the room and took a drink of his coffee. "Around midnight."
Jen noticed that he hadn't shaved. She stepped closer, looking at his face more intently.
Gunny stroked his beard self-consciously. "I know... I need a shave."
"I thought you might want to go grab something to eat. I bet you don't have anything in the apartment. It'll be my treat."
"That would be great…just let me shave and we'll get going." Gunny took his kit from his sea bag and took it into the bathroom. He pulled his shirt off and started filling the sink with hot water.
Jen walked around the living room and kitchen. The apartment was small, but just right for one person. There were no pictures on the walls. The furniture was large, made of soft brown leather. A couch and a chair, tables made of oak, stained dark to accent the other furniture. He had a large flat-screen television, and two crates with DVDs and CDs sat on each side of it. He had lamps on each end table but nothing else. No pictures, no decorations of any kind. He didn't even have a brag wall, with all his awards, something Jen had been sure he would have.
"Haven't you finished moving in yet, Gunny?" Jen asked absently. She walked toward the open bathroom door.
"Nah, not yet. I just have the necessities; most of it is still in storage. I haven't been home much, and when I am, I'm not the kind of person who likes to hang around my apartment."
Gunny had shaving cream on his face; he was tilting his head back and had begun shaving his neck.
Jen walked to the doorway of the bathroom. "I know what you mean. I..."
Gunny was standing in front of the sink in his jeans and bare feet. In his rush to dress he hadn't buttoned the top button of his jeans. Jen knew she should say something…anything.
"I hate hanging around the apartment all weekend, too. I 'd rather be out."
She was determined to look at Gunny in the eye and not be distracted by how strong his body looked. He was in a lot better shape than she had given him credit for, his six pack firmly in place just above those open jeans. She decided she'd better walk back into the living room and talk from there. She was afraid her eyes would give her away. As she turned, she noticed a deep scratch with a bit of bruising starting on his lower back and snaking around his side.
"What happened here, Gunny?" Jen lightly touched the scratch, and Gunny flinched. "Oh…I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It doesn't really hurt – I just wasn't expecting you to…." Gunny turned around to look at her. He still had bits of shaving cream on his face. "Touch me."
Out of nowhere the air was electric. Their eyes locked, attraction pulled at both of them suddenly.
"What happened?" Jen's voice was soft, almost a whisper.
"It was when we got hit with that RPG. I'm sure you heard about it. There was a firefight; I got a bit of a scratch below my body armor on the way back to the compound."
Gunny's eyes hardened for a moment. It was an old reflex. When he thought about things like that, he had learned to put it away somewhere in his mind and close the door on it. It wasn't an easy task, but it was doable. It helped him do his job; he believed it made him a good Marine.
Jen had heard about the firefight. She also knew that Gunny was being considered for a commendation for his conduct in that situation.
"I heard."
"Not a lot gets by you, does it, Jen?"
He grinned and tapped her nose with a bit of shaving cream. He needed to lighten the mood. Talking about this was still difficult; besides that, her closeness and the pull between them made him feel vulnerable, and he wasn't ready for that.
"Hey!" She grabbed a towel from the rack and wiped it away. "Just for that, Victor, you're buying."
She turned on her heel and walked back into the living room. 'Whew,' she thought, then for reasons she couldn't explain, she remembered something she saw when she first looked at Victor standing at the sink. 'Hanes…the waistband of his underwear said…Hanes.' Well, he definitely wasn't a boxer man. The question was…were they just briefs…or were they boxer briefs?
"You ready?" Gunny had finished dressing and reentered the room, standing just a couple of feet behind her.
Jennifer was startled and turned quickly around, her face flushing red at what she had been thinking.
"...yeah, let's go."
With that Jen walked around him and toward the door. Shaking his head, Gunny grabbed his coat, and they walked out of his apartment door, locking it behind him.
1330
Saturday
February 19
Harm and Mac's Apartment
North of Union Station
Harm sat in the corner of the couch, waiting for Mac to bring him his promised, though belated, Valentines gift. Mac carried a small bag that was deep green in color with gold paper inside. Harm recognized the bag; it was from the jewelry store they had bought their wedding rings from.
"What's this?" He sat up and she handed him the bag. Inside the bag was a small envelope which Harm opened. The front of the card was a picture of a smiling woman roughly sketched with hearts floating all around her. Harm opened the card and it read: 'When I count my blessings I always count you twice. Happy Valentines Day. Love, Mac.'
He smiled and leaned forward and kissed her lightly. "Thank you."
He opened the box. It held a tie clasp. It had a thin bar centered upon it, with an opal at each end of the bar. In the center was a ruby. There was space on each side of the ruby. Harm looked at her, slightly puzzled.
"Your birthstone and mine, with room for our children on each side."
Mac blushed a bit...she was afraid she sounded corny all of a sudden.
"There are two opals….because I counted you twice." She looked away, feeling self conscious.
Harm put his gift on the coffee table and gathered her into his arms. She turned into them immediately.
"Thank you – it's perfect." He kissed her hair.
"But… children? Just how many do you want to have, Mrs. Rabb?" He leaned back teasing her with his smile.
"I know we may just be able to have one naturally. I just want to get through this with one healthy baby and my own health intact. Even if we can only have one this way, I want to adopt other children."
She looked into his eyes and skimmed the tips of her fingers through his hair. "I know you're going to be a good father, Harm. I'm looking forward to raising -children- with you." She kissed him. "I have something else for you."
She reached for a manila envelope on the coffee table and handed it to Harm. "You really outdid yourself this time, Mac." He smiled and opened the envelope, reaching in to pull out what he recognized immediately as a ultrasound picture, very similar to the one he had seen in Major Hanson's file. He looked up at her with such a look of wonder and something else….a sweetness that she could not name. "Is this – ?"
Mac finished his sentence for him. "Our baby….I had it done yesterday morning, just before you came home."
"You're okay?"
"I'm fine, everything is fine." Mac reassured him.
Harm had turned back to look at the picture. There wasn't a lot to see that really looked like a baby. A circle had been drawn around the area where the baby was, but Harm was totally fascinated just the same. He turned to look back at her and then leaned forward to place the picture back on the coffee table.
In almost one fluid motion he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom. He laid her on her back and lay down beside her. He splayed his hand flat against her lower stomach and after a long moment slipped his hand beneath the waist of her lounging pajamas so that he could feel her skin and the tight little ball just underneath.
He looked up at her, giving her that soft, almost sleepy look that she loved. He returned his attention to the place where there baby was growing, brushing his cheek against it. Harm curled his body around her with his head resting on her.
Mac raked her fingers softly through his hair, and Harm drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. He hadn't said a word since he looked at the picture; he didn't have to. Mac felt a peace that she'd never thought she would experience. This wasn't a moment to die for…it was a moment to live for. A moment she'd thought might never come.
1645
February 24
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Lieutenant Commander Faith Coleman sat at her desk. She had finished her closing arguments and they were awaiting the verdict. It had been a long week for her. In the beginning she had not been convinced of Commander Lucy Maron's innocence, but as she researched her case and interviewed PFC Kilpatrick's friends and fellow Marines, she felt she had a more accurate picture of what had happened. The platoon leader's testimony had been particularly damning, but she was able to rebut his testimony with witnesses of her own. She was sure the members would rule in her favor.
She was pulled from her thoughts by a knock on her open door. "The members are back."
Faith nodded stood and followed Mike out of the bullpen. They were usually all business when they were opposing one another in a case, but she seemed quieter than usual. Something was up; he just didn't know what it was.
They took their seats with Mac at the bench. "Commander Lucy Maron, will you and your counsel please rise?" Mac turned to the senior member of the panel. "Captain, you may publish your findings."
"Commander Lucy Maron, United States Navy, on the charges and specifications of dereliction of duty, this court martial finds you not guilty."
"This court is adjourned." Mac rapped the gavel, closing the case.
Commander Maron turned to Faith and shook her hand. "Thank you so much, Commander."
Faith looked at her directly. "You're welcome, Commander Maron."
Faith turned toward the aisle as Commander Maron turned back to the seats where her husband and family waited.
"Well, it looks like I'm buying this time." Mike looked at her, grinning sheepishly.
"That won't be necessary, Major." She walked swiftly down the aisle and out of the courtroom.
Mike frowned and followed her out of the courtroom. He was going to find out what was up with her if it was the last thing he did.
Faith opened the doors on the bullpen and walked swiftly toward her office with Mike right behind her. She turned to close the door, but Mike followed too closely to allow her to do so.
"May I talk with you a moment, Commander?" He closed the door behind him.
"What do you mean, it won't be necessary?"
"I just don't want you to feel obligated." She was still not making eye contact with him.
"Faith, I know you haven't known me for a very long time, but when have you known me to do something I don't want to do, outside of a direct order?"
She looked at him. He was smiling at her again, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"So…where do you want to go?"
Faith knew she had been beaten…besides, she also knew he was just trying to be nice. "McMurphy's is fine." She thought to herself, 'What could go wrong?'
"Great. I'll follow you to your apartment and we can get ready there. I brought my sea bag." Mike was gone before she had a chance to answer him.
1700
Mac's Office
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac sat back in her chair. She had just turned off her computer. She was sleepy all of a sudden. She laid her head down on her desk atop her folded arms. A knock at her door startled her.
"Hey….you okay?" Harm stood in her doorway, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I'm fine…just a bit sleepy." She yawned, covering her mouth. "I just need food and my bed."
"Oh… I think I can help you out with both of those things. And that's -our- bed, Mrs. Rabb." Harm walked further into her office and closed the door.
"Are you finished for the day?" She rocked back in her chair, crossing her legs.
"Yeah, I just left Judge Helfman's office. Bud needs a continuance on a case I'm helping him with. My case load has been pretty light this week." Harm leaned against a book case near her door and he watched as a slow sly smile spread across Mac's face. What was she up to?
Mac arched her back and locked her fingers behind her head. She waited just three seconds before seeing the reaction she wanted.
"Harm?"
He was somewhere else for a moment. He was at home, with her long beautiful legs in another position entirely.
Mac smiled slyly. "Harmon…are you ready?"
Harm's eyes locked with hers. "…Yeah."
Mac uncrossed her legs slowly and stood up. She crossed the room to where Harm was standing and looked him directly in the eye.
"I guess we're ready to go, then." She placed her hand on the inside of his arm and gently guided him into turning toward the door.
"Yeah…I…have to get my cover." He was already on his way home as far as he was concerned.
Mac picked up her coat and Harm took it from her. She slipped into it as he held it for her, his hands resting for just a second at the closure in the front of her coat. Mac walked out and he followed her for a quick trip to his office.
'Please God; I don't want to run into Creswell on our way out.' He did not.
They were finished there for the day and they began what was a very interesting trip home.
1445
London time
February 25
Heathrow International Airport
London, England
Aziz Nasiri was waiting in line to go through customs. He had completed a successful mission that had taken him from Britain to Germany, through Ireland and back again to London. He was able to secure three of the five components needed to construct the explosive device he was to use on his 'holy task.'
He was confident that he would get through customs inspections without a problem. The components were sewn into the frame of his suitcase. They would not be detected even if they searched his bag thoroughly. He had used both of his valid passports, the one in which he was Kevin Donlon and also the one which carried his own name. He had finished his trip with a leisurely vacation in Ireland. He had met no one there; he didn't see the necessity of waiting, but his mentor al Hundu had been correct. They must arouse no suspicion.
He was surprised when he met with his contact in Berlin; their organization was much larger than even he suspected. American arrogance had given them many allies. It was just a matter of time now. He was anxious to get back to Oldham to speak with his mentor. He had much to tell him and was sure he would be happy to hear about what he had learned in Germany.
0930
Eastern Standard Time
February 25
CIA headquarters
Langley, Virginia
Blaisdell replaced the handset on his phone. He had just spoken to his contact with MI-6 in London. Aziz Nasiri had used both of his passports in the last ten days.
Something was coming up, something big…he could smell it. He sat back in his chair and turned it around to face his window. He suddenly thought of Jack Keeter and remembered that he had not heard from him in over a month. This could mean one of two things. Either he had his own source of information, or he or perhaps Rabb was already working on this on their own. Blaisdell didn't care for either prospect. He dialed his phone number.
"Jack?"
"Blaisdell? What can I do for you?"
"I think I may have some information that you may find useful." Blaisdell suspected that if he gave Jack some of what he had, Jack might be an additional source of information.
"Fine, 1300 okay?"
"Great – see you then." With that, Blaisdell ended the call.
Jack closed his cell phone. "He wants to see me. Says he has some information for me." He raised his eyebrows at his guest.
AJ sat on a barstool in Jack's kitchen. "He just wants to find out what you know."
"I know, but I can handle him and he may have something I can use." Jack walked into his kitchen and took a glass from inside his cabinet.
"Have you heard anything from Rabb yet?"
"No... not yet. I did get an invitation to an engagement party from Mac. Poor Sturgis is going to take the plunge." Jack snorted.
"Yeah, we got our invitation yesterday." AJ watched as Jack reached for a bottle of bourbon that was on his kitchen counter.
"What are you doing, Jack? It's not even 1000 and you're pouring yourself a bourbon?"
AJ stood and walked around the counter.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?" He was incredulous. "Put it down…and that's an order."
Jack smirked. "Why, AJ…I didn't know you cared."
AJ laughed in spite of himself. "Shut the hell up. You and I are going to get something for breakfast…besides bourbon."
Jack screwed the cap back on the bottle without pouring any in his glass. "I don't know, AJ...Wild Turkey…the breakfast of champions." He put it down and followed AJ to the door.
AJ threw him a sidelong glance. "Let's go."
1330
Sunday
February 27
Mike McBurney's apartment
Alexandria, Virginia
Mike lay on his couch, staring at the telephone on the end table. He had been thinking about calling Faith all day. Things had been strained between them since Thursday night, to say the least. She had spoken to him Friday, but never more than common courtesy and not more than one or two words at a time. She was acting the way she had before they had become friends. He was almost back to not being able to read her at all. He picked up the phone and dialed her number. She answered on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Faith?...Hi…I was wondering…do you want to go get a cup of coffee?" Disgustedly, he thought, "Smooth, McBurney, just blurt it out.'
Faith was silent for a moment. She felt better than she had on Friday, and she did owe him an explanation. She had worked in her apartment all weekend, reorganizing every room. She felt more in control of herself. Mike was just trying to be her friend. He was one of the few she had ever had in her life.
"Faith, are you there?" Mike thought she might have already hung up.
"I'm still here, Michael."
Mike let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. They were still friends; she was still calling him Michael. He didn't know why that was so important to him, but it was.
"So how about I pick you up in an hour? We'll go to Starbucks – I'll even buy."
"Why don't I just meet you there?" She wasn't ready to have him here again, not even at her door.
Mike understood immediately. "Okay, see you in an hour." She still needed space.
As Mike drove to meet her, he went over the events of last Thursday, trying to figure out what he had done to cause her to clam up like she did. He had followed her to her apartment. He had gone into the bathroom to change into his civvies, and when he came out Faith was dressed and waiting. She'd had her back to him, looking out the window. He'd walked up behind her and said her name. She'd turned around quickly; he'd thought he had just startled her at first, and then he'd seen the look of sheer terror on her face.
She had quickly walked around him and picked up her coat, saying she was ready to go. He had followed her out of the apartment, and as they rode down the elevator he noticed a light sheen of sweat across her forehead. For the rest of the night, conversation was stilted at best.
He pulled up in front of the coffee shop and parked next to Faith's car. When he got out, he saw her sitting in the window. She saw him and nodded a greeting. He noticed she had ordered for him. He walked up to the table. "Mocha?"
"Yes, I thought I might as well order for you." She smiled at him shyly.
Mike sat down and took her olive branch in the form of a cup of coffee. "I love this stuff."
"I know…I do too. When I drink it, it's like a hug." Faith realized she had thought out loud and blushed furiously.
"I never thought of it like that."
Faith continued to blush. "I don't suppose you would…you're a Marine. I'm surprised it's not 'coffee black.'"
"No, that would be Gunny…he's just not into the Starbucks, latte, espresso thing." Mike smiled, remembering their conversation.
"I know I owe you an explanation, Michael." She was still staring at her coffee cup.
"You don't –owe- me anything, Faith. I'm just concerned – I'm your friend and I can tell that something is going on. I just want to help."
Faith nodded her head. "I know…I know. First of all, I want you to know you didn't do anything wrong at my apartment the other night. It's just that I….well…" This was harder for her than she'd thought it would be.
"Look, you don't have to talk about this if it makes you uncomfortable." Mike was beginning to suspect something terrible and he didn't know if he could handle it well. He suddenly felt very protective of her. Her armor was down; he wasn't used to seeing her this way.
"I want to do this…okay? You're my friend; I don't want to be this way, not with you."
She continued, "I haven't had anyone in my apartment in a very long time. Actually no one but me has been in it since I moved in."
Mike looked at her questioningly.
"This sounds like I'm some kind of basket case. I'm not." Faith was getting exasperated, and she hadn't even begun to explain.
"Is it about the OCD?" He spoke carefully, not wanting to offend her.
Faith sighed. "In a way. I've had some counseling about this; that is why I know as much as I do about it. Order is the way I control my environment. It started with little things as a child. It was the way I handled stress, the way I still handle stress."
Mike waited quietly.
Faith forged ahead, trying to make her story as generic as she could.
"Sometime ago, years really, I had a bad experience with someone in my apartment. It made my need for order more extreme. Being alone in my apartment makes me feel safe. I didn't even think about it until you were changing clothes, and then I thought I could just hang on until you were ready and we would leave…but when you walked up behind me…it all came back. The case last week didn't help – dealing with Commanders Maron's practice as a psychiatrist. It's really complicated, Michael…I don't think I could explain it all, not in one day, anyway."
Mike frowned, thinking of what to say next. He wanted to ask her, 'What bad experience?' Had she been raped? What? He looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"That's all, really…I just wanted you to know...that the way things have been over the last week have not been your fault. It's just me." She studied his face, trying to gauge his reaction.
It was still light outside. He didn't want to go home yet; he still felt the need to know more than he did. "Do you feel like taking a walk?"
Faith looked out the window. It was turning into a beautiful evening; warmer, though it was the end of February. "All right."
They walked together down the sidewalk. He took her hand and put it into the crook of his arm. "Is this okay?"
Faith was touched; he was trying so hard not to do the wrong thing. "Okay."
They had walked around the city block and were heading back to their cars. "Faith…out in California. You know, when we were at TJ's. I didn't even think…" He stopped in front of her car.
"Michael, it's okay." She was searching his face, trying to figure out where this remorse was coming from.
Mike sighed…he had to ask. "Faith…the bad experience you had...it wasn't –?"
Faith understood. "No, no…it wasn't. I just…can't really talk about it." It had not been rape...it had just been another experience that made her close her self off more than she ever had before.
Mike was so relieved. When he remembered kissing her while they were in California, he wanted it to remain a good memory. It had been fun – they had laughed together, and he had never seen her more relaxed. It was important for some reason that he not lose that.
On an impulse Faith leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Michael."
Mike stepped back from her and smiled his most charming smile. "You're welcome."
He turned to walk back to his car and tripped over a piece of uneven pavement. Mike heard Faith trying to cover her laughter.
"Hey…what can I say? Comic relief."
Mike and Faith returned to their respective apartments with their friendship intact.
Chapter 61
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the JAG characters. I don't own any product or label mentioned for the purposes of telling this story. Any similarities to situations or persons living or dead are purely coincidental.
Spoilers: Anything up to Bridging the Gulf. Any spoilers floating around out there are fair game.
A/N: This was is lighter and fluffier than usual. I needed the respite from the intensity of the week from hell. Hope you enjoy it. (This was the week we all found our DJE was not going to come back next season even if JAG was renewed.)
1545
Friday
March 4
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Bud sat at his desk facing his computer. He was putting the finishing touches on the paperwork closing his case. It was over before it got started, much to his relief. Gunny knocked on the frame of his door.
"Enter." He looked up.
"Sir." Gunny stood at attention.
"At ease, Gunny."
"Petty Officer Coates said you wanted to see me."
"Yes, Gunny – have a seat."
Gunny sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
"I want to thank you for your help with the Thomas case. What you were able to uncover helped exonerate my client."
"You're welcome, sir." Gunny had simply made a few well placed phone calls.
He had gotten access to some medical records which indicated that Mrs. Miles had been hospitalized a number of times while her husband was out to sea. The ER personnel suspected abuse but Mrs. Miles would never confirm it.
When Bud had questioned her about it, she broke down. It seemed that Mrs. Miles had acquired a boyfriend while Petty Officer Miles was stationed aboard the Lincoln, a boyfriend who had abused her in the past. He had beaten her severely the last time in retaliation for not cooperating in a plot to kill her husband. The plot would have required her to act when he transferred to Dam Neck. It backfired when Mrs. Miles refused to follow through. The state's attorney was filing conspiracy to commit murder charges against her boyfriend, and ET1 Miles Thomas was free and was filing for divorce.
"There is another matter I would like to discuss with you…" Bud got up and closed the door.
Gunny came out of Bud's office about 20 minutes later with a perplexed look on his face. Jen noticed and got up from her desk and followed him to his.
"What's going on, Gunny?"
Gunny just shook his head. "I'll tell you sometime."
Jen smirked. "How about now?"
Gunny looked up at her. "How about dinner?" His eyebrows were drawn down but he still had a smile on his face.
Jen hadn't been expecting that one. She was quiet for a moment. She had been hoping he would ask her out. This was a date, wasn't it?
Gunny looked almost panicked. She was too quiet.
"You mean like a date?"
He looked up at her and narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, I think so – what do you say?"
Jen turned toward her desk and said over her shoulder. "I say….okay."
1930
Friday
March 4
McMurphy's Bar and Grill
Georgetown
Harm and Mac sat a table with Harriet and Bud. Harriet was enjoying her first night out in quite a while. Her parents were in town and they had graciously offered to stay with the children, allowing a short outing for Harriet. She had not been very happy about leaving the kids with her mother, but she knew her father could handle the children and her mother for a couple of hours.
"I can't remember the last time I was here." Harriet was looking around the room. There had been a few changes…it looked less like the smoky bar they used to come to when she first came to JAG. Now it was non-smoking with a sports bar feel to it.
Harriet had agreed to help Mac plan Sturgis and Varise's engagement party.
"I appreciate your coming and helping me with the last minute details. I want this party to go off without a hitch."
They were planning to have just close friends attend. They had all been so busy that they hadn't had a chance to celebrate Sturgis and Varise's engagement.
"You and Bud will be able to make it, won't you?"
"I wouldn't miss it."
Harriet didn't know how to act. The party was on the 11th; that would make two Fridays in a row that she would be out with grown-ups. She couldn't help smiling at the thought.
Harm stood up and nodded toward Bud. "If you ladies will excuse us, it's time for me to beat the commander here at a game of pool. You up for it, Bud?"
"Sure." He stood and followed Harm to the pool table.
Mac and Harriet resumed their conversation, and Bud and Harm played a couple of games of pool. True to his word, Harm won both times. He looked across the bar and was surprised to see Major McBurney sitting in a booth with a very attractive lady.
Bud looked in the direction Harm had been. Bud recognized Mike's companion right away.
"Wow, who knew?"
Harm frowned. "What?"
"Commander Coleman certainly looks different out of uniform."
Harm took a few steps ahead of Bud to look more closely. He looked back at Bud with a mischievous grin on his face.
"I wonder how long this has been going on."
Bud, ever the voice of reason, said, "They may just be discussing a case, sir."
Harm looked at him. "Bud, you go over a case at home with files all over the floor eating pizza. You don't go out…looking like that." Faith Coleman really was an attractive woman.
"Looking like what?" Mac and Harriet had decided to join them at the pool table.
Harm got his deer in the headlights look.
"What are you two up to?" She knew that look. She looked across the bar and saw what they had.
"I didn't know they were seeing each other. That's kind of nice."
Harm looked at her with raised eyebrows. "I don't know, Mac. They work together."
They all looked at Harm, who got the irony of what he had said immediately. He smiled sheepishly. "I suppose I'm not the one who should be giving that argument am I?"
Mac tucked herself beneath his arm and hugged him close. "No, I don't think so."
"We're going to have to get going. I don't want to tempt fate and leave my parents alone too long with their grandchildren." Harriet didn't know who she was more worried about at this point, her children or her father.
"Yeah, we have to go too. I'm sleepy and it's only 2100." Mac yawned.
"Get all the sleep you can, ma'am. You're going to need it." They all laughed at that and made their way to the door.
Harm couldn't resist the chance to needle McBurney a bit. They passed their table on their way out. "Hello, Major, evening out?"
Mike looked up, startled. "Commander Rabb, you know Commander Coleman." He said it almost too quickly.
Faith didn't have time to hide her reaction. Shock and panic would have been a pretty accurate description.
"Commander," she said automatically, hoping against hope to move them along toward the door. The trick was to make no small talk and make as little eye contact as possible. She looked across the table at Michael, thinking that he might help her out here.
She needn't have worried; Harm kept the conversation going. "You know Commander Roberts; I don't believe you've met his wife."
Harm went on with the introductions. Faith could see Michael in her peripheral vision. He was starting to see the humor in this situation and he began to smile more broadly as he spoke with the commander. If he embarrassed her she was going to kill him.
Harm looked from Mike to Faith, waiting for more of the story, but he was being nudged along by his wife. Faith knew there was a reason that she liked Colonel Rabb. They exchanged pleasantries as they left with Bud and Harriet following closely behind them.
Mac pinched Harm lightly on the back.
"Stop giving them a hard time, Rabb. Have a little mercy – we were there once."
She looked back over her shoulder; remembering and thanking God those days were over.
2345
March 4
Friday
Gunny's Apartment
Alexandria, Virginia
Gunny lay on his back in the center of his bed in a tangle of sheets and blankets. He was tired but his mind would not stop going over the events of the day. He and Jen had had a great time. Dinner was good; thank God Jen shared his penchant for the perfect steak. They danced, which was even better.
For a long time he had not allowed himself to get too close in their friendship. Tonight things had shifted and he didn't know how he felt about it. If he were honest he would say he felt a little foolish. Jen was younger than him, beautiful, and as far as he was concerned could have any man she wanted. What was she doing with an old broken down Marine like him?
Holding her while they danced was amazing; she fit into his arms as though she were made for him. At one point he rested his cheek against hers losing himself in the feel of her body so close to his. He pulled back slightly and looked down into her eyes… he had almost kissed her when he came to himself and looked away.
He didn't want to presume anything. It wasn't like being with anyone else. He worked with her; they saw each other every day. If he screwed this up, it would ruin everything, and being back at JAG meant too much to him to screw that up now.
His conversation with Commander Roberts had been enlightening, to say the least. What was this with the officers at JAG? Did they all feel this responsibility toward Jen? He thought for a moment that the commander was going to ask him what his intentions were.
The phone rang, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Galindez." A call this late had to be work related.
"Victor?" Jen had given up the battle she had been fighting with herself since she had come home from their date and called him.
"Jen? What's up?"
"I just wanted to talk to you for a moment. I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No, I was having trouble falling asleep anyway."
"I just need to ask you something."
"So ask." Gunny hoped he didn't sound short with her. There was no taking the Marine out of the man most of the time.
"Did you have a good time tonight?" Jen thought she sounded like a kid; she didn't know how to begin this conversation. They had been having a great time, but after they danced and he had nearly kissed her he had gotten quieter and seemed to back off from her.
"Yeah, great, why?"
"I just got the feeling something went wrong about halfway through the evening. I wanted to be sure I hadn't done anything to make you uncomfortable."
"No, Jen, you didn't."
She blew out a breath she had nervously been holding. "That's good to hear. I also wanted to ask you, what were you and Commander Roberts talking about this afternoon?"
He should have known she wouldn't let that slide. "I'll tell you, but I don't want you to take any offense with the commander…..agreed?"
"Okay." What was this about? she wondered.
"The commander was just making sure I knew that you had a lot of people at JAG who were concerned with your future. He didn't say anything negative, Jen; I think he was just curious about our relationship." He laughed a bit. "I think he wanted to be sure I had honorable intentions." He continued to smile, thinking of his conversation a couple of months ago with Commander Rabb. Gunny wondered if Jen understood the 'family' she had at JAG.
"Oh." Jen wasn't angry; she was touched. Bud and Harriet were family to her as far as she was concerned. "Does that mean that you aren't going to ask me out anymore?"
Gunny was quiet for a moment.
"Victor?" Jen didn't like the silence.
"Yeah…I'm here." Gunny figured it was time he just laid it on the line. "Look, Jen, to be honest, I feel a little foolish. Here I am, this crusty old Marine, and then there's you – you're young, you're beautiful, so what in the world would you want with me?"
It was Jen's turn to be quiet.
"Jen?" Gunny felt a knot forming in his chest.
"Victor…I think you should let me worry about that…okay?" Jen had been as afraid to go forward as he had been, until tonight.
"Okay?"
Gunny was surprised at how relieved he was. "Okay."
"So…where are you taking me to dinner tomorrow night?"
Gunny smiled, remembering that once Jennifer set her mind on something she didn't beat around the bush. They made plans for the following night, and finally, after ending the phone call, they both got some sleep.
0915
Monday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and Sturgis were in the break room immediately after staff call. Major McBurney breezed in a few minutes later. He stopped short when he saw the two commanders, and then continued into the room.
"Major." Harm leaned back on the counter and took a drink of his coffee.
"Sir." The major then nodded toward Sturgis. "Commander Turner."
"So you and Commander Coleman will be going to Oklahoma today?" Harm knew the answer to the question; he just couldn't resist needling McBurney.
"Yes, sir." McBurney poured himself a cup of coffee.
Harm just looked at him, waiting; the silence was beginning to make McBurney uncomfortable. Sturgis just looked on. Harm had told him about seeing him out with Commander Coleman Friday night.
After waiting another moment, Harm started toward the bullpen. "Good luck."
"Yes, sir." McBurney visibly relaxed as Harm left the room. He turned toward Sturgis.
"Will you be leaving this afternoon as well, sir?"
"Yes, I'm just on my way to pick up my travel itinerary." Sturgis would be going to Iraq to investigate an explosion that killed two Marine Reservists. Coleman and McBurney had the sad task of dealing with the fallout in their hometowns.
"I understand congratulations are in order, sir." Mike had heard about Sturgis's engagement from Commander Roberts.
"Thank you, Major – the Rabbs are giving us an engagement party this coming Friday. If we are able to settle this case in a timely manner, that is. Why don't you come by?" Sturgis started walking out of the break room, then turned and said,
"Bring a date…if you like." Sturgis smiled to himself as he walked the rest of the way out. He couldn't let Rabb have all the fun.
1300
March 7
Monday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Major McBurney had just left Commander Turner's office, making arrangements to coordinate his investigation with his and Faith's. He glanced toward Commander Rabb's office. He just couldn't leave the commander thinking that he and Faith were getting…he didn't know…serious. They were just friends; he didn't want anyone, especially the commander, to get the wrong idea. Faith wasn't the kind of person to…and he wasn't either. As he walked toward Commander Rabb's office, a little voice in his head told him to leave it alone, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. He knocked on the frame of the commander's door.
Harm looked up. "Enter."
"Sir, may I speak with you for a moment?" What the hell was he doing?
""Of course, Major, have a seat." Harm thought that McBurney had the look of someone that was about to stick his foot in his mouth. He knew that state of mind very well.
McBurney sat down. "Sir, I think I need to clear something up."
Harm frowned, appearing not to know what he meant. "Major?"
"The other night…you know, at McMurphy's…Faith and I…I mean, Commander Coleman and I are just friends…we're not dating….or anything."
"Major, I wasn't aware that anyone here thought otherwise." Harm was having a good time with this. He stayed quiet then, allowing just enough time for the major to decide to get himself in a little bit deeper.
"I just wanted to be sure. Commander Coleman and I are good friends and I don't want any wrong impressions to reflect badly on either of us. We are very good friends and I don't want…"
Harm thought it was time to stop him before he embarrassed himself further. He was 'having some mercy,' as Mac had put it.
"No one is under the wrong impression, Major. Anyway, I've made some lifelong friendships here at JAG. I know how valuable they are." He smiled, thinking of one 'friendship' in particular.
At that moment, Mac sailed through his open office door, not realizing that Major McBurney was sitting in front of Harm.
"Hey Sailor…buy your wife some lunch." She looked to her right and saw the major, who stood upon her entrance to the room. "Oh…excuse me."
So much for military decorum. She nodded toward McBurney, greeted "Major," and stepped further into the office, sensing the awkwardness immediately.
Mike looked out of the door and saw Faith walking toward his office. They were just getting ready to leave. Thank God he had an out.
"If you'll excuse me, sir, ma'am." He came to attention, then turned on his heel and left Harm's office. Harm stood and walked around his desk to follow him out.
Faith met Mike in the middle of the bullpen and Harm leaned on his doorframe. He knew McBurney could feel him watching him. Coleman was speaking to him in a low voice. Harm turned back into his office, and as he did he heard Commander Coleman say 'Michael.' Harm raised his brows and grinned at his wife. He reached up to loosen the door stop and closed his office door.
"Michael? Uh oh, this is more serious than I thought. Faith and Michael."
"Stop it, Harm." Mac teased.
He looked at Mac, pretending not to understand. "What?"
1553
March 7
American Airlines flight 714
Somewhere over the Midwest
Faith sat back in her seat, trying to prepare herself mentally for what she knew was going to be an emotionally charged case. These families were deep in grief. They felt betrayed by everyone. They didn't think that security at Camp Anaconda was adequate and they also felt betrayed by the Iraqis. News reports had indicated that an Iraqi suicide bomber was responsible.
Mike sat next to her, thinking about his conversation with Commander Rabb. He turned to look at Faith. She had her head back and her eyes closed. 'I have made some lifelong friendships here at JAG.' He knew that he and Faith were getting closer all the time. He also knew that Commander Rabb and the colonel had been friends a long time before they ever began a serious relationship
. It depended on who you spoke with, though. Some never saw a thing until recently, but scuttlebutt was that they had been in it from the first time they worked together. They had handled things professionally, though…what was he doing? This had nothing to do with his and Faith's relationship. He huffed out loud and shook his head.
Faith raised her head and looked at him. "Did you say something?"
"No, no – I was just thinking…"
"About the case?" Faith frowned.
"Yeah…yeah. I hope Commander Turner can give us a clearer picture of what happened the day of the explosion. These people need answers, and all the speculation flying around is not helping." He deftly steered the conversation away from what he had been thinking about.
Faith nodded in agreement. She dreaded the grief she knew she would see. She'd wondered at times if her family would grieve her. She had lost touch with all of them. She had not spoken with any member of her family in years. Her parents had divorced after her younger sister graduated from college. Like staying together had done any of them any good. Her thoughts were showing on her face.
Mike leaned forward so that he could get a better look at her. "Hey, what's up?"
"Oh…I'm just thinking about dealing with the grief that I know the families must feel." She turned back to look out the window.
"And?' He knew there was more to it than that.
Faith turned back and looked at him directly. "I was thinking about my family. I was wondering if they would grieve me if something were to happen to me."
"Of course they would, Faith." Mike frowned; where did that come from? She had still been pretty closed-mouthed about her personal life. No details anyway.
"You don't understand, Michael; we were not a close family. I mean, I wasn't abused or anything. We just…it's hard to explain." Faith folded her arms across her chest and looked out the window.
"Try me." Mike was hoping she would try to open up a little more on this trip. She was like a mystery that he felt he had to solve.
"Well, as I have said before, my parents were professionals; very busy people. We were all in boarding school as soon as we were old enough to go. When we were home we stayed out of their way. Some kids become close as a result of that, but because we were in three different boarding schools most of the time, we weren't."
"What about summers?" Mike had a lot of good memories of summer. He had a very large immediate and extended family. There was always a gathering of some type: a cousin to visit, summer jobs when he got older. He was kept busy. His mother believed the old adage: 'Idle hands are the devil's workshop.'
"My parents usually had a camp of some type to send us to. We did have longer visits in summer, but like Christmas time, I couldn't wait until it was over and I went back to school."
Faith suddenly remembered one summer in particular. She had been about 10 years old, and had happened to come up on her parents as they argued viciously. She began to tell Mike about that day.
"I had been walking through the house and stumbled upon them in the living room. I slipped behind a full length curtain, hoping they would not notice me and pull me into their argument. They had a terrible habit of using their children to hurt each other. What they never got was that they had hurt their children most of all. They screamed insults and threats of divorce; they threatened each other with taking the children away. It frightened me more than I could say, although I didn't know why. As I got older I began to realize that my life would be no different."
Faith stopped speaking, realizing that this was getting too deep. She hadn't meant to go on like she had. She looked down and saw that Michael had taken her hand while she was speaking.
Mike was leaning back, resting his head on the seat, watching Faith as she spoke. She looked down at her hand clasped in his and he realized what he had done. He started to remove it but Faith tightened her grasp just slightly. He gave her a soft smile, hoping to reassure her. He wasn't trying to do anything but be her friend and he knew she might let go. They were both in uniform, though her overcoat across her lap covered their hands.
Faith returned his smile, resting her head back on the seat, and in a very short time fell into a deep sleep.
TBC