Chapter 16

"That's just it, if I were someone planning to do you harm, I would be waiting for everyone to start thinking that way as well. Then, as soon as the guard schedule was relaxed, that is when I would strike!" Mac told him.

"Then I'm very glad you aren't out to do me harm!" AJ laughed.

"How do you know I'm not? All this niceness could just be a cover to lull you into a false sense of security."

"Well then, it's working because I do feel very secure when I'm with you. But seriously Sarah, I'm a pretty good judge of character. You have to be in my line of work, and I trust you implicitly. In fact, the only one I've met on this ship that I'm wary of is Lieutenant Galindez, and that's because of his feelings for you not for any political reasons."

"You think Vic is a threat to your life?" she asked incredulously.

"No, however I wouldn't put it past him to interfere with our dates or to continue to try and convince you to let him back into your life."

"I doubt he still has any illusions on that last part. I made it pretty clear the last time he and I spoke about it that it was well and truly over between us."

"I hope you're right Sarah, but enough about him. I took the liberty of finding out when your next day off was and discovered it was tomorrow. If you haven't made any plans, I've reserved some holodeck time."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I wondered if you've ever been horseback riding? I grew up on a ranch in Texas and if you like I would love taking you riding there."

"That sounds great! What time did you reserve?"

"The first free slot was 1000 and I booked two hours. I thought we could have lunch in Ten Forward afterwards?"

Mac smiled, "The reason you could only get two hours was I had reserved the holodeck from 1200 to 1500. I thought we could have a picnic lunch and then after a rest we could swim. There's a favorite pond near where I grew up that I recreated for whenever I just want to get away. Would you like to share it with me tomorrow?"

"I'd love to!" was his answer as they reached her door.

Hoping for a good night kiss, but not wanting to share it with anyone passing by Mac invited, "Would you like to come inside to wait for your guard to arrive?"

"Yes Sarah, I'd like that."

Once inside her quarters with the door closed behind them, AJ tenderly pulled her into his arms. Tracing her face with his thumbs as his hands cupped her jaw, he said, "You are so beautiful Sarah."

"Thank you AJ. I'm glad that you think so even if I don't think I'm all that special."

"Everyone is special in one way or another and I find you very special!"

"Mmmmm," she murmured and raised her head for his kiss.

He didn't disappoint her. His kiss took her breath away. Allowing his hands to fall to her shoulders, they caressed their way down her back as his lips took possession of hers.

When they broke for air, instead of a declaration of her feelings or a comment to him about anything at all, she said, "Computer, inform Ensign Naktel to report to my quarters to escort Vice President Chegwidden to his."

AJ smiled at her bemusedly, "Sending me home?"

"If I don't, I'll end up asking you to stay," she answered.

"Would that be wrong?"

"No, but I want this to be right and I want us to know each other first. When the time is right, nothing could stop me from showing you how I feel about you!"

"Alright Sarah, I'll look forward to that day. I know that you're worth the wait."

A few kisses later Ensign Naktel, the only Bjorn on her staff, arrived at her door to escort AJ back to his quarters.

"Harriett, I'm so glad that you understand why I didn't tell you that you were my wife in my dreams!" Bud exclaimed.

"Yes, I understand that you were ashamed!" she cried, getting up from the table so quickly that her chair tipped over as she ran for the exit, leaving a shocked Bud still sitting at the table.

To be continued…..