Chapter 4

"Yes, three and don't give me any grief about it. I think that is good progress in just two days. Now if you don't mind…in fact even if you do mind I'm tired. I just want to grab something to eat and fall into bed. Get lost!"

When he was gone, Sam went into the kitchen and made herself a lovely dinner and then after cleaning up took a long hot bath before falling into bed.

After Mac had left the break room the next morning and before AJ could follow her, Sam asked, "Admiral do you have a moment to talk?"

"Yes, Major would you like to go to my office?"

"No, here is fine, no one else is ever here this early. I just wanted you to know that I am not interested in Lieutenant Roberts. I am sorry but I guess I was just using him as a cover for the person that I am really interested in,"

"Who would that be Major?"

"I'm sorry Sir, I can't say, but I will monitor myself much more carefully and you will have no further cause to be concerned."

"Major, if the person you are have feelings for is unrequited… you are doing such a good job here, I would hate to lose you but wouldn't it be better to request a transfer?"

No Sir, I want to stay. I like the job and the people that I work with. Please let me stay," Sam stood in front of him looking him right in the eyes.

"Alright Major, but if I see any evidence of this attraction I will arrange a transfer for you."

"Yes Sir, thank you," she had come to attention as she said this.

"Dismissed Major."

Sam turned and returned to her desk.

AJ followed a few moments later keeping his eyes forward.

Several hours later AJ came out of his office and found her staring at another staff member. This time she was staring at Ensign Moore…Ensign CARLA Moore! So this was why she wouldn't say who she was interested in. He had no idea that she cared for another female. But because of Navy policy of 'don't ask, don't tell' he could never mention this discovery to her.

He knew that he hadn't had a chance with her but somehow it hurt just a little more to find out that she was interested in a woman rather than a man. He didn't blame her for her sexual preference, but the fact that she was interested in females that really put his hopes that they could ever be together to rest.

Sam felt that there was something going on with the Admiral the next morning. Over coffee he seemed cooler than he had ever been. At her desk a bit later she wondered if it was something she had done. Could it be that he was upset with her that she hadn't told him who she was interested in? She almost snorted as the thought of how that conversation would go!

'So you want to know who it is in the office that I am interested in Admiral?' She would wait until he said yes then she would continue, 'So Admiral the one that I am interested in is you.' Then she would wait for his reaction. She had many different ideas for how he would react.

The first one would be total shock. He would stand there speechless with a stunned look on his face. The second reaction she thought he might have was anger. He would scold her for her disregard for the UCMJ even though he had no idea that she didn't have to abide by it since she wasn't really a Marine. The third reaction she thought he might have was laughter at how absurd it would be he could even think about returning her feelings. Or the one that she loved best even though it was the least likely that was that he would swing her up in his arms and twirl her around as he kissed her. Oh how she wished that was the reaction he would have.

But none of them would happen because just as she couldn't tell him about the real reason she was here in his offices she also could never tell him that she was falling in love with him.

With a sigh Sam thought she'd better get back to work before someone noticed that she was sitting at her desk day dreaming.

To be continued…