Chapter 31

Saturday, April 10, 2004

0900 EST

Suite 1493

Ritz Carlton Hotel

Pensacola, Florida

After AJ showered, Sarah told him that she wanted to go shopping and do a little sightseeing. AJ agreed, since he hadn't made any plans for the day. He grabbed the camera as they went out the door. "Where would you like to start, Darlin'? The mall?" asked AJ.

"No, I saw some little specialties shops last night, near the movie theatre. Let's start there," suggested Sarah.

"All right, but I want to find some Pooh books for Little AJ he is really into Pooh these days."

"Let's eat first! I'm starved," replied Sarah, while waiting for the elevator.

"All right, wife, let's go so we can feed that empty hole you call a stomach," laughed AJ, as they walked inside the elevator.

They heard a quiet voice behind them say, "Well, I hope you're happy!" Turning around they saw Clay, red as a beet, and wearing flip-flops, with blisters on his feet.

Sarah giggled, "Clay, you need to put something on that burn and stay out of the sun for a while. Do you see those blisters, AJ?"

"Yes, Darlin', I did-nasty things! I bet they hurt like hell, right, Webb?" asked AJ, putting his arm around Sarah's waist.

"No, they feel just peachy. What are you two doing today?"

"We're planning on sightseeing. We'll be walking for miles," grinned AJ as the elevator doors opened. Making room for Sarah to step out, AJ accidentally stepped Clay's foot.

"Ouch! Shit, A...excuse me, mister, but you just stepped on my sore foot," growled Clay.

"Oh, excuse me, but you really shouldn't use that kind of language with ladies present," replied AJ, just to annoy Webb. He stepped off the elevator just as the doors closed.

"AJ, shame on you! Poor Clay, looked awful, and you stepped on his foot," admonished Sarah, hiding a smile as she walked over to be seated for breakfast.

"Poor Clay, my ass, and it was an accident. If I had meant to hurt him, I'd have ground my heel into his foot," replied AJ.

The waiter came over and rolled his eyes, "Sir, Ma'am, will it be the usual, the all you can eat breakfast buffet?"

AJ looked at Sarah, arching his brow, "Well, sweetheart, how hungry are you this morning?"

"Very, my love," grinned Sarah, staring at the buffet with a gleam in her eyes.

"Then I believe we'll have the usual, and a pot of coffee, please?" requested AJ. After breakfast, much to Sarah's delight, they hit the stores.

"Isn't this beautiful down here, AJ? Look at the flowers blooming and that tree is beautiful. You're a gardener, what are some of them called?"

"That beautiful tree you're looking at with the large blooms is called a Magnolia. Those lavender bushes are azaleas," replied AJ. "Of course, you do recognize the roses."

"Yes, dear, I do know roses. But the others are wonderful!"

"Where would you like to start, sweetheart?" asked AJ taking a picture of Sarah near the azaleas.

"I saw a store that had Disney stuff in it lets head over there. Maybe I can find something for James Kirk?" giggled Sarah. "I still can't believe Bud pulled that one off. Harriett is going to have to pay more attention to Star Trek."

AJ laughed, "She will from now on, I'm sure! Let's just hope they don't have a daughter he can name Uhura."

Mac picked out a Mickey Mouse T-shirt for James that said, "I'm a mouse, gotta love me." Then she glanced over at AJ looking at Pooh books. He had a basket and was loading it down with all the ones he could find. Smiling and happy with their purchases, she looked at AJ. "I wish we could go to Disney World! I've never been to a theme park. And Disney World is so big, with Sea World so close."

"Sorry, Darlin', it's too far away. It'd take at least five hours to get there from here. We'd never make the range on the cell phone and could screw up the mission," he said, sorry he couldn't take her. "Maybe next time." 'Now where the hell did that come from? Next time! There won't be a next time. I think we're getting a little too comfortable as husband and wife. Maybe because I want it to be true so badly,' thought AJ.

Sarah thought, 'Did he say next time? If only there could be a next time with him. When we get back home, I really have to request a transfer. After this week and loving him the way I do, he'll never be just the Admiral, again.'

To be continued….