Alternate Ending 1 Chapter 4

Once AJ arrived home he thought about what Bill his barber had said about a Halloween Party. He knew that Bud and Harriett's annual costume party was tonight; that was one of the reasons he had been in a hurry to arrive home today. He looked forward to the party each year to see what his staff…former staff would come up with in silly outfits. He was glad that Harriett had invited him again this year even though he was retired and no longer a part of the staff. Going to his closet knowing he'd have to develop a costume since he hadn't had time to rent one, he thought that with his mustache he would make a good cowboy.

He pulled out jeans, a western cut shirt, boots, and a corduroy jacket with patches on the sleeves, since he didn't own a Stetson he decided that his ball cap would do.

Mac had arrived at home still in a bit of a daze at what happened at Wal-mart. She went into her kitchen and began to unpack her new coffee maker that the stranger had picked out for her. As she thought of him her fingertips touched her lips lightly as she remembered the kiss. How she wished it had been AJ's lips on hers instead of the kind stranger. Could he possibly be right? That she should tell AJ how she felt about him?

Looking over the details of her new coffee maker she wondered how the stranger could have known her needs so well. It had a timer that could be set to allow the coffee to start to brew while she was still in bed or maybe in the shower, and there was also a sensor that turned it off if it was inactive for more than an hour! In addition, it held up to fourteen cups and the brew selector went from weak to extra strong! Mac wondered if he could read her mind about what she would have wanted, and then wondered if this was the same model that he owned. But she was happy with his choice it suited her well.

She washed all the parts and set up to brew for the morning. Knowing she still had several hours before she needed to get ready for Bud and Harriett's party, Mac regretfully decided that she should clean her apartment. It took her much longer than usual to do the simple tasks, because as she worked she would find her self thinking about the kiss from the stranger and wondered how AJ's would compare. It was hours later when she stopped in the middle of vacuuming because the thought had struck her. Would AJ would be at the party tonight?

A shiver ran through her and she wondered if she should bring up the kindly stranger to AJ. Glancing at the clock she realized that she would have to finish the cleaning tomorrow. It was time to get ready for the party. Putting away the vacuum she smiled as she got her costume out of the closet. She wondered if AJ were there he would approve of her choice.

Guests had already been arriving when Mac got to the Roberts' home. She giggled when Bud answered the door dressed as a Klingon. Mac was told that he was a Klingon from the classic series and not the Next Generation or newer and that was why she probably didn't realize who he was. She just nodded not having the heart to tell him that she hadn't known what he was because she didn't watch any of the Star Trek shows.

Jen Coates, who was dressed as the Artful Dodger from Oliver Twist, offered to take her coat when she got into the hall. Handing Jen her coat, she heard someone come up behind her. Turning she saw Harm looking her over from head to foot. He saw the aqua body suit that she had on and that all of her exposed skin was covered in aqua body paint and asked, "Mac are you supposed to be some Star Trek alien?" he asked with a frown.

A voice with a soft Texas drawl came from behind her, she closed her eyes as the words caressed her skin. She was so busy thinking, 'He was HERE!' she almost missed what he was saying. Forcing herself to concentrate, she heard him say, "Why Harm, it's clear she's an Aqua Marine!"

To be continued…