Chapter 2
"If you will follow me, I'll show you where your desk is," AJ said and walked with her out of the break room.
It turned out her desk was right in the middle of the bullpen. She thanked the Admiral and sat down to get her day started. Sam recognized each of the staff as they came in because of the research she had done last night.
Because she was a highly organized person Sam was able to do her office manager's work as well as the research for the real reason she was in the office. By lunch time she had assessed each of the staff.
Grabbing a salad and a bottle of ice tea she headed for the patio, it was just too nice to eat indoors. When she got out there she realized that pretty much everyone else felt that way too. The only table with an empty seat already had one person at it. "Admiral might I join you?"
AJ looked up from the salad he was eating and after a quick look around he realized that his table was the only open seating. Nodding he said, "Yes, of course."
She put down her salad container and they both noticed that they had made the same selection. "It looks like we have a lot in common, Admiral."
"Yes it does. How is your first day of work here at JAG going?"
"Very interesting, but I wish I could get to know the staff better. Everyone is so busy always rushing around, you can hardly say 'hello'."
"Well, I like to hear that my people are keeping busy, but today is only your first day. I'm sure that you'll have plenty of time to get to know them."
"I hope so, Sir," she said and started to eat her meal.
They finished eating at the same time so walked into the building together, rode up in the elevator and didn't part until they reached her desk where she stopped and he continued on to his office.
She removed her uniform at home that evening so mad that she almost called Gibbs to tell him she was done! After all the time she had spent with Admiral Chegwidden that day she really felt that she was betraying his trust.
In the morning she entered the break room to find Admiral Chegwidden just starting a pot of coffee. "Good morning Admiral, I brought in some pastries to go with that coffee if you like."
He groaned with a grin, "They smell fantastic, but I'll have to run a few more miles in the morning if I indulge."
"You look pretty fit to me, if I may say so, Sir," Sam told him.
She thought that she could detect a slight flush to his cheeks and he seemed to be at a loss for words until he was saved by the pot finish brewing. "Ready for coffee?" he asked.
"I am," opening the pastry box she offered it to him.
Choosing one, he looked at his watch and said, "Colonel Mackenzie seems to be running late this morning."
"She had an early meeting in Norfolk, so won't be back till she finishes there," Sam reported.
"Guess that means more coffee and pastries for us," he teased.
Sam laughed, "I thought we might leave some for the rest of the staff."
"I guess that would be okay," AJ reached into the box and took two of the pastries and a cup of coffee then added, "I should be getting to work."
Taking one of the pastries and her coffee Sam agreed that she should be doing the same and they left the break room together.
Later that morning AJ came out of his office intent on getting another cup of coffee. He couldn't help it, but his eyes were drawn to Major Bell. He had admitted to himself that he was attracted to her, but he knew nothing could come of it. The rank difference, she was under his command, as well as the age difference between them, all that would keep them apart, so he must forget his attraction or at the very least not act upon it.
That didn't stop his eyes from being drawn to her as he entered the bullpen. However, her eyes did not meet his, she was staring intently into Lieutenant Bud Roberts office. He had to wonder what her fascination was with Bud, but maybe it was nothing and she was just studying the new people she was working with. AJ put it aside for then and went to get his coffee.
To be continued…