Chapter 5

They sprang apart as if they'd been doused by cold water, which in essence wouldn't have gotten any different reaction. AJ spun around to see a boy of about seventeen or eighteen eyeing them with appreciation and envy. When AJ glared at him, the kid grinned and said, "You know, you really should take it inside, this IS a family neighborhood after all!" With a cheeky wave he ambled away.

AJ turned back to look at Mac who was still sitting on the hood of the Vette, he was at a loss for what to say, but knew that it was his fault the situation had gotten so out of hand. "Sarah, I apologize, I shouldn't have allowed things to get so carried away!"

"AJ, it's all right! As long as you're not sorry it happened then everything is fine and I seem to remember that you had a little help in the 'getting carried away' department."

Holding out his hand to Mac he pulled her to her feet to give her a reassuring hug. "I'm not sorry in the least that we kissed. I just want you to know that I respect your reputation and that I am sorry we went so far in public."

"Thank you, AJ, but I care little for my reputation since we had just discovered that we loved each other. Please tell me that wasn't a dream!"

She should have suspected something when she saw the gleam appear in his eyes, but she was so caught up in the newness of their love that his action came without warning. "Ouch!" she exclaimed looking down at his hand that had just pinched her. "What was that for?" she demanded.

"Isn't that the prescribed remedy when one asks for confirmation that they weren't dreaming?" he questioned innocently.

"Oh!" she was totally at a loss as she stared into his face, which was alight with merriment. It was as if in an instant he had dropped twenty years. He looked almost boyish! Over the years she had seen some instances of his dry wit and there were times she was sure that she'd been the only one to 'get' his humor, but here he was, standing before her, grinning like a mischievous child, all she could do was laugh.

Within a heartbeat AJ joined her and they soon had to sit on the car to keep from falling over. For several minutes as each would begin to regain composure, they would look at the other, eyes would meet, and they would fall prey to another round of laughter. Finally both of them took gulping breaths of air at the same time and refusing to look at the other in the eye, they tried to talk about 'what next'. However, since they both asked the other that question at the same time, they were once again lost in the world of merriment.

Sides hurting, both put up a single hand in the hope that would be enough to beg the other to stop. Feeling like he had finally regained some control, AJ looked at her and said, "I think we need to talk."

"I agree. Would you come up to the apartment?" she asked tentatively.

"I think that would be best," he replied, getting up and turning to help her up too. Picking up his shirt from the ground where she had dropped it, he shook it out and put it back on.

Once in her apartment, Mac seemed nervous and unsure of what to do. The first thing to pop into her head was more of a distraction than anything else. "Can I offer you something to drink?"

AJ looked at her and understood her mood. They were in uncharted territory for them and she needed some sense of normalcy. "That sounds fine, Sarah. Whatever you're having will do."

"I could make coffee or I have ice tea in the fridge," she offered, sidestepping towards the kitchen.

"Tea is fine," he told her as she disappeared.

Wandering around the room he looked at all the knick-knacks she had sitting around. He noticed the lack of pictures and wondered about that. Pausing in his survey of the room, AJ wondered what would come of what happened outside. Surely she wasn't still thinking of marrying Harm now!

To be continued….