Chapter 28

Her first day back at the FBI was long and dull with the exception of the report she got when she came in. Bud Roberts had turned down their offer, AJ had been right!

She had reports to write, about her time at NCIS before going to JAG, then about her time at JAG, and finally about going to take down Zepher Davis-Marciniak and getting shot. Unfortunately doing this kind of paperwork left a lot of time for her mind to wander and it did all of its wandering right to AJ Chegwidden.

Every time she had to write his name or refer to him in the reports her mind would drift off to the last two nights they had spent together. And tonight they had another date. She couldn't help but let her mind think about him.

She knew the perfect dress she was going to wear. It was dark red and wrapped around on the top so it could be worn from very modest to very daring. It had a belt that tied around the waist with a skirt that flared out to make it perfect for dancing. The material was the softest jersey so it felt like wearing a cloud. She'd wear her hematite necklace and earrings, the gray/black color would go great against the color of the dress. Maybe they could go dancing after dinner.

AJ was in the office at his usual time that morning enjoying a cup of strong black coffee that Mac had made. He really wanted a chance to talk to Bud to see how he had reacted to the Secret Service offer Samantha had told him Bud had received yesterday.

Going to his office he knew what had to be done if he could keep his mind off of Samantha Blaze. He knew they had talked about taking things slow last night but his heart was running full speed ahead.

He reached for his cup of coffee and found it had gone cold while his mind had been wandering. Checking his watch he realized there would be just enough time to reheat it in the microwave before the morning briefing. Getting to his feet he headed to the break room.

Halfway across the bullpen he spotted Bud talking to Harm and Mac near the copy machine. As he approached them he heard Bud say, "You guys would not believe what happened to me yesterday!"

"Well then tell us!" Mac insisted with a laugh.

"Yes do tell us," AJ encouraged as he stopped next to the group.

Bud hesitated a minute, he had been about to share the news with his friends, but now the Admiral was there and he became unsure if this was something he should be talking about at work. Then he saw that the Admiral really looked interested rather than annoyed that his staff was having gossip time. So with a grin he went ahead and reported, "The Secret Service showed up at my house!"

"Whatever for?!" Harm interjected.

"They wanted me!" Bud told him.

"For what?!" Harm wanted to know.

"I think you would make a fine Agent, Lieutenant," AJ informed him.

"Thank you Sir!" Bud exclaimed with pleased surprise.

"They asked you to become an agent?" Mac wanted confirmation.

"Yea…" then remembering the Admiral's presence, changed it to, "Yes."

"What did you say?" asked Mac.

Bud blushed and told them, "Well I was really flattered and it was a great honor, but Harriett and I belong here. You guys are family to us! We couldn't leave JAG. So I told them no."

"Bud you turned down the Secret Service?!" Harm seemed amazed.

"Yes," he answered simply.

"Good choice Bud, you're needed here," and with a pat on the younger man's shoulder AJ headed to the break room with a grin on his face that his staff couldn't see. 'I told her so!' AJ was thinking.

"Thank you Sir!" Bud called after the Admiral with a please look on his face.

By the time AJ came out of the break room with his steaming coffee he saw the other three had disbanded. Hopefully to the conference room for the morning briefing. Heading there himself he found them all sitting around the table. Taking his own seat AJ had one last thought before they got started, he was really looking forward to telling Samantha, 'I told you so!'

To be continued…