Maybe

Disclaimer: Nothing besides the story idea belongs to me, and this was written for entertainment purposes only.

Rating: K+

Authors Note 1 & 2: Woah, more than 4000 hits, thanks to those who have taken the time to read this story, I really appreciate it.

As always, comments and constructive criticism is welcome. If you notice something amiss or something that just bothers you – let me know because sometimes I just can't catch it.

Over the weeks it might be a while between updates, but I won't forget this story so please don't worry. Feel free to harass me, because if I know that people are reading this an enjoying it and cannot wait for the next chapter then it will keep me writing.

Anyway, this is where the changes become obvious, because the Christmas party is no longer at Harriet's and there is no longer a Secret Santa!

Anyway, Enjoy!

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Chapter Three

Suddenly Jennifer wasn't feeling quite so giddy; the excitement of a night with friends was quickly fading.

No one had bothered to tell her that he was going to be there. If they had she would have been able to prepare herself, she would have worn jeans and a T shirt.

She would have feigned the flu and stayed home.

"Jen…" Harm said, he didn't know the whole story, but he knew that Jennifer had been quite fond of the Petty Officer but then Tiner left and Jennifer hadn't spoken of him again.

"It's okay," Jennifer gave Harm a shaky smile, "I just wasn't expecting him."

"Neither was I," Harm replied as he pulled to a stop. He cut the engine and Jennifer stared at the door handle for a while, then she heard Harm open his door. She sighed; she couldn't very well sit in the car when the Admiral and Harriet were standing right there. She grabbed the door handle and waited a beat before pushing the door open.

"Jennifer!" Harriet yelled, and Jennifer winced, "you won't believe who's here!" Jennifer looked up at Harriet with what she hoped was a curious expression on her face. Jason Tiner was still standing on the front steps, and he looked very embarrassed.

All we need is Gunny, and it will be a party.

Just as she that thought came into her mind, a green SUV turned the corner and she looked at it in disbelief.

This is Christmas she thought helplessly, the season of good tidings.

She numbly followed Harm up the front walk and Harm greeted Tiner, clapping him on the back before looking to the Admiral.

Jennifer looked at Jason, and then he smiled. He came towards her and before she could say anything he was hugging her. Jennifer stood there, with her arms down at her side; she could hear the Admiral inviting Harm and Harriet inside.

"How are you?" Tiner asked finally letting her go.

"Oh," Jennifer replied, "I can't complain." Of course you can, a voice in her head objected, you can look at him and ask him why he never once called or wrote. You were supposed to be friends, at the very least friends.

He was standing there like nothing was wrong, like she should be happy too see him.

Well of course he would, he doesn't know anything is wrong. Jennifer found that infuriating. He should have known something was wrong.

She suddenly felt naked under her winter coat, her neckline was too revealing and she clutched unconsciously at the lapels of her coat.

"Well I'm just going to—" Jennifer blurted, hoping to escape inside.

"Jennifer!" The front door to the SUV slammed shut, and Gunny was striding up the front walk. She found her smile for Victor was a little less forced than it had been for Jason. "You look wonderful."

"Thanks," Jennifer replied laughing. "You don't look so bad yourself." And just out of spite she opened her arms and gave him a tight hug. Gunny seemed a bit surprised but hugged her back anyway.

"How've you been?" She asked, still smiling so wide her cheeks hurt.

"Oh," he shrugged, "you know," Jennifer didn't know, at least anything more than what Harm told her. Not that it mattered, Gunny suddenly looked behind her and noticed Tiner for the first time.

"Jason!" Gunny exclaimed, "How the hell are you?"

Jason looked away from Jennifer.

"Busy," he replied.

Jennifer was edging towards the door, all she had to do was find Mac or the Admiral—she just needed a familiar face that she could hide behind and everything would be fine. She opened her mouth to excuse herself but someone beat her to it.

"Jennifer?"

She looked up, her hand was frozen where she was about to grab the handle to open the door. Mikey was looking down at her, she felt a smile tugging on the corners of her lips.

"Mike," she said with a rush of relief.

"Yeah," he smiled.

The door opened and the Admiral stepped out, "well, I didn't realize the party was outside. Are you going to come in, or shall I move the refreshments onto the front lawn?"

Jennifer all but ran up the stairs, she smiled at the Admiral and clutched at his arm in thanks. He simply looked bewildered and beckoned everyone inside.

"C'mon inside!" He said, "there's cider and coffee in the kitchen."

"The house looks great," Jennifer said, sidestepping the mistletoe just at the last minute. The house really did look fantastic. Outside the eaves were strung with white icicle lights while the trees were covered in multicolored single lights.

Inside, lights and garland were wrapped around the banister on the staircase and lit candles rested on the front table. Jennifer could already see the tree in the front room and it was large and decorated with loads of ornaments and flashing white lights. Jennifer could also see more candles and garland that rested on the mantle of the fireplace.

"Coats please," the Admiral said, and even though it wasn't a command everyone unzipped their coats and pulled them off. Jennifer was aware of a chill on her bare shoulders and she rubbed her arms self consciously.

"Tiner," Harriet said suddenly. She had been watching Jennifer since they all stepped inside and had decided it was high time she rescued the young female Petty Officer.

Harriet took hold of Jason's arm, "I know Mac will be happy to see you, as well as my husband." Jason let her pull him away. Jennifer let out a sigh of relief and then she looked at Victor, stepped past the Admiral to the coat rack and slammed her coat down on the hook and stormed into the kitchen.

She didn't care that she had just made a scene. Jennifer just could not stand there in the front hall any longer.

She took a deep breath before she grabbed a mug, poured half a cup of coffee in, and then topped the rest off with Bailey's. She raised the cup to her lips. She took a long drink.

She couldn't believe… Jennifer took a shaky breath.

It was Christmas she was going to be happy.

The stupid thing was that she had no reason to be angry with Tiner. They had never even gone on a date, except for that one football game, but that didn't count because the only reason Jason had asked her was because Gunny had backed out last minute.

The game had been fun though; they'd spent the afternoon huddled under a blanket, as Jason had tried to explain the rules to Jennifer. She had allowed herself to day dream that day, she allowed herself to think that maybe she wasn't crazy and maybe there was a chance for things to finally go right.

Then Tiner's transfer had come through and it just seemed like something had been left hanging. They had never discussed the possibility of a relationship but Jennifer had invented for them a strange sort of courtship that in the end had gone nowhere. Perhaps that was why Jennifer was so angry; he had never said anything either way.

Jennifer liked things to be clear and she liked to know where she stood.

She let out another sigh and took another drink. As soon as she finished her drink she'd grab some cider and stop hiding. She wasn't a jilted teenager, she could handle rejection.

She could handle the fact that she was not good enough for Jason Tiner.

"Jen?"

She looked up, it was Mac she was wearing a pair of black slacks and a lilac satin tank top.

"Hi," she raised her cup in greeting.

"Are you okay?" Mac wondered.

"Super," she drained the rest of her spiked coffee, "I'll be out there in a second." She put down her first cup into the sink and then she grabbed another mug. She ladled some cider in and smiled again at Mac.

"A little less teeth Jennifer."

Jen's smile faltered then was gone completely.

"I know something that will make you feel better," Mac said, "c'mon."

Jennifer doubted it but she let Mac take her hand and take her the living room. When she stepped into the room she saw that in lieu of there being no piano that a karaoke machine with a television had been set up instead.

"Karaoke Christmas Style," Mac nodded, Jennifer shot her a look, "wait for it."

It was then she noticed the Admiral holding the microphone, the opening chords filled the living room. The song sounded familiar, the Admiral took a deep breath shot a look in Jennifer's direction then began a rousing rendition of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.

At first Jennifer was disturbed, but then when she heard Mac snort she let a giggle escape from between her lips. By the end of the song Mac was wiping tears from her eyes and Jennifer was gasping trying to catch her breath. Everyone cheered and clapped madly when the Admiral finished.

"Anymore requests?" He asked, shooting a pointed look in Harm's direction.

"No more!" Harriet exclaimed, "Please!" Harriet was openly crying and this caused another round of snorts and giggles.

Jennifer looked at Mac, "I know you asked him to sing that song. There's no way that was impromptu."

"Maybe not, but it cheered you up didn't it?"

Jennifer shrugged, "I may be feeling a little more cheery."

"Why don't you sing us a song?" Mikey asked, Jennifer hadn't realized that he had come up behind her.

Jen snorted, "Yeah right, the only place I sing is in the shower."

Mikey shrugged, "I'm not sure you give yourself enough credit." Jennifer watched him stand up and walk across the room. He grabbed AJ and flung him up over his shoulder. AJ shrieked with laughter and Mikey bounced him around the corner.

Jennifer looked over at Mac, who was looking at her.

"What?"

"Do you know Mikey?"

"We've… run into each other a few times." Jennifer replied.

Mac was looking thoughtful.

"What?" Jennifer asked again, the way Mac was scrutinizing her was making Jennifer nervous.

"I think he might just be right."

Jennifer clutched her mug, she watched Mac walk across the room to where Harriet was still laughing and Jen took a deep breath. Did she really do that? Did she always write herself off?

"Jen?" She looked over at Jason, "you coming to eat?"

"Oh yeah," she said, "sure."

Jason was one example, she was angry and blaming him for the fact they had never tried a relationship. Jennifer had never led him to believe they were anything but friends. She had thought about it, and fantasized of course, but she had never spoken to him about it, simply because she was afraid.

Jason smiled, "it's great to see you again," he said.

"It's good to see you too," Jen paused, realized that what she said was the truth. It was good to see him again.

"Earlier," Jason said, "I should have called someone before just showing up. Probably would have made things a little, easier."

Jen felt her cheeks warm. So, maybe he wasn't so oblivious.

Jennifer shrugged, "I—I'm sure it's not a problem," she blurted, and before Jason had a chance to reply she all but ran into the kitchen.

Jason watched after her, "that's not exactly what I meant," he muttered shaking his head.

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