February 3, 2004

Guy's Hospital – London England

0821 Greenwich/ 0321 Eastern

Lieutenant Commander David Coulier walked down the short hallway to Lyn Alexander's hospital room, a smile on his face as he softly whistled to himself. He'd stopped this morning and picked up a small bouquet for flowers for Lyn. As he reached her room, he put the flowers behind his back before he entered.

"Good morning, Lyn."

"David," Lyn said with a smile. "Why aren't you at the office?"

"General Creswell's orders, Ma'am. Besides, it's hard to be at the office when the office is in San Diego and we're in London," David said as he stood there looking at her, trying to keep the concern he felt off of his face. Even though the doctors had warned them to expect memory troubles, it hurt to see her like this especially when she'd been told yesterday that they were in London and they worked in San Diego.

"And who is General Creswell?"

"He's the Judge Advocate General, Lyn. That makes him our boss."

"OK. What's that behind your back?" Lyn asked.

"Just some pretty flowers for a pretty lady," David replied, pulling the flowers out in front of himself and offering them to her.

"Thank you, David."

"Hey, a guy's got to take care of his lady."

"Am I you lady, David? I thought I was your boss?" Lyn asked, feeling slightly confused.

"You're both, although we've kept the relationship very quiet," David confessed. "See, the Navy doesn't allow for superior/subordinate relationships. It's called fraternization. So, we've had to be very careful to keep our relationship out of the office."

"What exactly is our relationship?"

"Well, I had actually planned to talk with you about it when you came back from your assignment here, Lyn."

"Then talk about it, David," Lyn said.

"I was going to ask you to marry me," David told her, looking into her eyes. "I'd bought the ring, made plans for a romantic dinner out and I was going to propose."

"And now?"

"I still want to marry you, Lyn. I've always wanted to marry you. But until you're recovered enough to definitely know what you want, I think I should wait on asking that question."

"What do you mean, recovered enough?" Lyn asked in a demanding tone of voice.

"When I first got to London, you didn't even remember who I was. And if you couldn't remember that, then why would you want to marry me. So, I think we should go slowly, until you can remember how much I love you and how much you loved me. And when you can, then I'll ask you," David told her, fighting to keep the sadness out of his eyes.

"Alright, then start helping me remember. Start from the first time we met and go from there."

"The first time we met was our freshman year of high school. The very first day of school I sat next to you in English and by the end of the year, we were friends. You helped me with English and German and I helped you with Algebra and History."

"What about after that?" Lyn asked.

"We first dated in high school. You've got the picture from our senior prom in your purse. Then you went to the Academy while I went to the University of Michigan. We wrote a lot the first year or so, but slowly drifted apart from the distance and the work load," David told her.

"So, how did we get back into contact?"

"Would you believe in law school?"

"No," Lyn said.

"Scout's honor. After I graduated, I applied for law school and got accepted. First class, I got there early and was waiting in the hall when you walked up and smiled. When I asked why you were there, you said the Navy needed lawyers and were sending you to law school," David replied.

"But the same law school?"

"I just stayed at UM, I don't know what made you choose it."

"Good football team," Lyn said with a smile, which got even bigger when she saw David's.

"Nice to know you do remember some things," David said, laughing to take away any sting that the words might have had as implied criticism.

Whatever Lyn might have been considering as a response was cut off by the appearance of her doctors. After a brief examination, they turned to face their patient, while David made ready to leave the room. However, one look at Lyn stopped him before he could get out of the chair.

"How are you feeling today, Miss Alexander?" the older doctor asked.

"I've got a bit of a headache and I'm a little tired, even though I only woke up an hour ago," Lyn told them.

"Your body requires rest in order to heal and given that it's your brain that was damaged, a headache isn't necessarily unheard of. Still, we'll get you something for the pain. When you get tired, though, don't be afraid to just go to sleep. Trust me, you'll be doing a lot of that for the foreseeable future, Miss."

"And I'm starting to get more of my memory back."

"That's good news," the younger doctor said.

"So, how soon will it be before I'll be able to leave?" Lyn asked.

"Miss Alexander," the older doctor said as he took a seat on the foot of her bed, so that he could more comfortably meet his patient's eyes, "I'm afraid it will be a time before you'll be able to leave a care facility. When you leave here, it will be for a rehabilitation center where your care can be continued with the goal of getting you back to as close to who you were before the shooting. However, this takes time and patience."

Lyn looked down at her hands at that, recognizing the truth that the doctor's words contained, even if she didn't necessarily like that particular truth.

"Miss, you've suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury from the shooting. And while your injury is much less severe than many we've unfortunately seen, it is still a very serious injury. So, it may be necessary for you to relearn certain everyday tasks. You've already seen that it has had an effect on your memory. That's why you will need to go to a rehabilitation center, where they can help you. After speaking with Captain Rabb, we've made tentative plans to transfer you to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego next week."

"So, at least you'll be closer to home, Lyn," David said, taking her hand in his.

"Do you know how long I'll have to be there, at the rehabilitation center?" Lyn asked.

"It all depends on your body, Miss. But don't rush things trying to get back out there, listen to your body and your doctors. Speaking personally, I'd love to see you leave here tomorrow walking on your own two feet. But I know that's not realistic. So, I confine myself to what is, which is getting you well enough that you can proceed to the next stop on the way home," the older doctor said with a smile.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"You're very welcome."

With that, the two doctors took their leave. Lyn waited until they had left the room before collapsing back against the pillows behind her. Sleep quickly overtook her as her body cried out for rest. David saw this and got up to adjust the covers for her, earning a contented smile as Lyn drifted off. As she slept, David picked up the book that he'd left on the bedside table and found his place. Picking up where he'd left off, he hummed softly to himself as he read.

Force Judge Advocate's Office – London, England

1338 Greenwich/ 0838 Eastern

Harm settled in behind the desk, having gone for a refill of his coffee and to stretch his legs. One of the bad things about being the FJA was how tied to his desk he was. When he'd been just another JAG officer, he moved around a lot more than he was now. With that thought came another, that he'd have to consider increasing his exercising in the near future before he started to see a bit of weight around the midsection.

With a groan of frustration, Harm reached for another file. Reading through the documents it contained, he signed off on the recommendation once he was finished. Putting into the Out basket, he took another one while also reaching for his intercom.

"Simpkins, bring on the next stack," Harm called.

"Aye, aye, Sir," came the response before the yeoman came in a moment later with another stack, which he placed in the In box before taking the contents of the Out.

"These damned things are like rabbits."

"Excuse me, Sir?"

"Never mind, Petty Officer. Thank you," Harm said, regretting making that mental comment out loud. The office staff didn't need to know how he felt about the paperwork, given that they were the ones generating much of it.

Going through his ritual, he quickly shuffled the files around before turning his attention back to the open one on his desk. After reading it a second time, he reached for the intercom again.

"Simpkins, ask Lieutenant Walker to join me, please."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

It was a couple of minutes later that the young woman in question was standing before Harm's desk. Annette wasn't overly concerned, given that she couldn't readily come up with a reason to be summoned to her commanding officer's office, but she also didn't know the Captain well enough to make that judgment.

"Lieutenant Walker, reporting as ordered, Sir," Annette said.

"Sit down, Lieutenant," Harm said as he looked up from the file he was reviewing. "You're not in any trouble."

Annette smiled slightly at that.

"Actually, I am passing on a compliment that came to me via General Creswell. Agent Weber was very impressed with your work and let Director Morrow know it."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Additionally, I was pleased to see how well you handled the situation," Harm said as he stood and moved around the front of the desk, taking a seat next to the Lieutenant. "In fact, I've directed that a letter of commendation be inserted into your records. You showed tact and understanding far beyond what might normally be expected from someone of your rank."

"I appreciate the complements, Sir, but I didn't really do that much," Annette said.

"You did more than you might know, Lieutenant. Past history between myself and NCIS left Director Morrow with the impression that this office wouldn't be cooperative with his agents. Your work on this case helped improve that."

"I'm happy you feel that way, Sir."

"Also, there's the case involving the naval attaché's wife. Mr. Hargrove sent the paperwork over this morning for a settlement in the case and I recommended that it be accepted," Harm said.

"What's the settlement, Sir?" Annette asked.

"Basically, that each party have their own insurance company handle their own claims. That way, neither side has to admit fault. I've spoken with the attaché's insurance company and they'll accept that over a potentially drawn out court case which they can't be certain of winning, despite the evidence you and Mr. Hargrove gathered."

"And her bills are much less than the bills for our drinking Scot."

"Exactly," Harm said with a smile. "Something I pointed out to the agent when I spoke with him."

"That's good news, Sir," Annette said with a smile of her own.

"Now, I know you had less of a hand in the matter than you might have wished, but I did notice the work you had done preparing the way for Mr. Hargrove and wanted you to hear the end result of that work."

"I appreciate that, Sir."

"I also have to tell you that you've raised my expectations as to the results of your future endeavors, Lieutenant. And yes, I know it's a very small sample, but you've impressed me," Harm told her.

Annette felt herself flush slightly, due to the praise being directed at her. She had heard much about the Captain from her husband, how Rabb was the rising star of the JAG Corps until he'd resigned his commission to go after a fellow officer who he thought was in danger. How Rabb was handed seemingly impossible cases and while not always winning, winning often enough for it to be noticed and when he didn't win, he usually got his clients a better outcome than was expected. But above his skills as a lawyer was the person. Jason had told her one night that Captain Rabb was the person he wanted to emulate when dealing with people and now she was seeing first-hand what he'd meant. As her commanding officer, he could have just sent a memo to her saying "well done" or even not said anything at all. Instead, he'd had her in and added his praise to that of others as well as hinting at believing even better work was to come. Right now, Annette felt like she could scale Mount Everest or swim the English Channel.

Harm watched the young officer next to him and was reminded another Texan. That same expression had crossed Meg's features a time or two during their partnership. Something that seemed to say they knew that they'd done well while also being pleased that someone else had noticed. Harm couldn't wait for a good case to come in, something meaty that he could throw at Lieutenant Walker. Oh, he'd need to make sure it wasn't too much of one, though, unless he gave her a good partner but then it wouldn't really be her case. He'd have to think about that some more.

"Good work, Lieutenant. Dismissed," Harm said as he stood.

"Aye, aye, Sir," Annette said as she faced him and braced before about facing and leaving the office, though with what seemed to be a little more spring in her step than he'd seen earlier.

1923 Greenwich/ 1424 Eastern

Victor Galindez's Quarters – London

Victor was settled in front of the television, a glass of tomato juice in one hand and the television remote in the other. After he had gotten off duty, he's come home and changed before going back out of a run. Then it was down to the fitness center in the basement of the building, where he'd gone through three rotations on the equipment before calling it an evening. Now, he was trying and failing to find anything of interest on the television.

He finally decided on a channel showing a soccer match. Given the weather, it was either a replay of an earlier match or being played somewhere else in the world. A glance out the window showed that the sleet was still coming down, which had been the cause of a much shorter run for him and a little more time on the weights. It was also the cause of his indecision about dinner. He wasn't exactly in the mood to cook anything, yet going out held even less pleasure.

Finally resigning himself to cooking something, Victor got up from his seat and made his way to the kitchen. Just as he was reaching the entryway, a knock came at the door. Victor frowned, not expecting anyone and certainly not without the porter calling up first. Going over, he looked through the peephole in the door and smiled before opening the door.

"How'd you get up here?" Victor asked.

"Your porter was suitably impressed when I showed him my identification," Emily said as she slid past Victor.

"I'm quite certain he was, although now he might think I'm in trouble with the law."

"Only with me, considering you didn't call this weekend."

"Sorry. Two of the guards came down with the flu, so I had to rearrange the duty rosters," Victor said, as he turned to face her.

"Not surprising in this weather," Emily told him as she went into his kitchen. "I hope you haven't eaten, though."

"I was actually just deciding what I wanted to do about that."

"Then my timing was excellent, for I come bearing edible gifts."

Victor saw the bags she carried and now that he got closer, he could also smell Chinese or maybe Thai food. As he watched, Emily removed several containers from the bags.

"I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I got a variety. We've got steamed rice and fried rice, chicken with cashew nuts, Szechuan chicken and sweet and sour pork. Also spring rolls and won ton soup," Emily said. "All we need are plates, bowls and utensils, plus something to drink."

"The dishes are in the cupboard next to the sink and the silverware is in that drawer," Victor told her as he pointed. "As for drinks, I've got beer, tomato juice, orange juice and coffee."

"A beer would be nice, Victor."

Going to the refrigerator, Victor removed two bottles of beer and carried them to the counter before going to where Emily had arranged the various dishes. She had filled her plate as well as taking a bowl of soup, carrying them to the counter while he selected his own choices. In the end, they both went with chicken, as Victor selected the Szechuan chicken while Emily had the chicken with cashew nuts. Both took the fried rice, which finished it off.

The meal passed in relative silence, with the sound of the television in the background and the clatter of silverware striking china being the predominant noises. This was something that Victor found that he enjoyed about Emily. Some of the women he'd dated in the past took silence as a personal challenge for them to fill, often with the most inane conversations he'd ever been forced into having. To him, silence was simply a time to enjoy being with somebody or to think and reflect. Emily seemed to view it in much the same manner.

After they had finished eating, Victor and Emily worked together to clear away the dirty dishes and pack up the leftover food. This went into Victor's refrigerator, then the couple moved into the living room. Settling in on the couch, they sat next to one another as Victor lifted the remote to turn off the television.

"Why don't you see if there's a movie on," Emily said.

"Alright," was Victor's reply as he began going through the channels, finally stopping at on old movie. Looking over at Emily, he saw her nod in approval. So, he set the remote aside and got comfortable, watching the heist film.

Emily waited until Victor was comfortable before she snuggled up against him. She knew that they had said they were dating last week, but Victor had only called her twice since that evening. That was in large part the reason that she had stopped over tonight, to find out where they stood. Now, however, she had no questions as Victor's arm dropped over her shoulder and held her close to him.

Victor, in turn, was glad that Emily had stopped. He'd completely forgotten about calling her over the weekend and yesterday he'd gotten home much too late to call. Still, he should have found time during the day to do it and the fact that he hadn't had him wondering what Emily would say. But, instead of being upset, she'd been understanding when he'd explained the situation. Smiling, he reflect that this was the first girlfriend he'd ever had like that, but it was also the first girlfriend with a schedule just as crazy as his.

When the movie ended, it was nearly 2200. Victor reached for the remote and turned off the television, while Emily stood from the couch and stretched.

"Time for you to be leaving?" Victor asked.

"Not necessarily," Emily said with an impish grin, before sitting back down and leaning up against him.

"That's good."

Victor wrapped his arm back around her and held her close, but that was as far as he went. This, however, wasn't as far as Emily wanted him to go. So, she turned towards him and put her hand behind his head before pulling him closer for a kiss, this one more than just the quick peck she'd given him at the end of their evening out last week. And while it wasn't full tongue tonsil hockey, it was still a very passionate kiss, one that Victor readily returned. When they finally broke apart, Emily sighed in contentment while Victor just looked at her in amazement.

"Wow that was…" Victor said.

"Amazing? Wonderful? Incredible?" Emily asked, teasing.

"The first time I've ever had a woman take control like that."

"Sorry, but if you're looking for little miss submissive, that's not me. I know what I want and I'm not afraid to take it."

"I think that's what I like about you, Emily. When I've dated in the past, the women have always looked to me to decide things. But with you, you make your own choices," Victor said.

"Probably why my family and I are butting heads. They want me to do what they want and I want to do what I want," Emily told him.

"Well, if we're going to continue our relationship, I need you to promise me one thing?"

"What's that?"

"That you never stop being you," Victor said as he leaned in to kiss her again.

"That's a promise I can keep," Emily told him when they broke apart before starting a kiss of her own. When the kiss ended, Emily and Victor were laying on the couch. Emily looked down at Victor before pressing herself against him.

"Victor, I think I'm falling in love with you," she said quietly, almost as if she was afraid that the words would ruin the magic that existed between them.

"I think I'm falling for you too, Emily."

Emily just smiled at that and the feel of Victor's arms around her. Sadly, all too soon came the time for Emily to leave. Victor thought about asking her to stay, but only briefly. Even though they both might be thinking they were falling in love, he still judged it as too soon to take that next step. He didn't want this to end up as just another brief fling. He'd reached an age where he wanted a genuine long-term relationship and he was willing to take his time to get it right.

As Emily left the apartment and made her way down to her car, she was torn between disappointment and relief that Victor hadn't asked her to stay. Disappointment because her hormones were running rampant after all the kisses and she'd definitely wanted to go further. Relief because she wanted their first time together to be special, rather than just a tumble between the sheet or on the couch. Still, she felt she'd found the man she wanted to share her life with and if her family didn't like it, they could get stuffed.