Chapter 4

Friday, May 27, 2005

1830 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

It was Friday night and JAG Headquarters was nearly deserted. Judge Love had a dinner date that evening, but there was something she needed to do before her date picked her up. After changing into a lovely little silk evening dress in her chambers, she rode the elevator down one floor and entered the darkened bullpen. This was her third such visit this week so she knew her way around. She sat down at the most out of the way desk, which also meant that it was the least likely to be seen by anyone that just happened by. Not that anyone had happened by the other two times she had done this, but it always paid to take precautions.

Quickly sending off an anonymous email to Admiral AJ Chegwidden about a case that Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts was going to be assigned, she got up and headed to the ladies room to refresh her makeup. Coming out of the bathroom, Randi checked her watch as she rounded the corner to the elevator. Because she was looking down at her wrist instead of where she was going she didn't see the man waiting at the elevator until it was too late.

Crashing into him, everything in her hands went flying and even as she bent down to gather up her scattered belongings, she began her apology. She was so flustered that it only slightly registered that the man had bent down to help her pick up her things. When the last items had been picked up, he stood and offered her a hand to help her to her feet. Randi found herself thinking that chivalry was not dead, when her eyes started to travel up the body of the man helping her.

He was tall, she could tell that by the length of his legs, and he certainly filled out the summer white uniform he was wearing in an impressive manner. Even though she had thought herself to be alone on that floor she was startled when she saw all the ribbons covering the left side of his chest. At first she had thought this man was a guard, but the ribbons said otherwise, then she saw the cover that was still tucked under his arm and all the gold braid on it. Her eyes met his and she saw the deepest richest chocolate brown eyes she had ever seen. His chiseled good looks were topped with a bald head that she had always found extremely sexy in men. The other thing that she found appealing was a set of broad shoulders and this man had that in spades. He looked like he was in his late fifties, but his body was firm and trim, he certainly took good care of himself!

Finally it registered to Randi that he was an Admiral. This must be the infamous AJ Chegwidden. The JAG himself! The one she had just sent an anonymous email to. The one that she had been waiting to meet all week. She had heard so many things about him and had looked forward to their meeting, but with one thing and another it had never happened. This was certainly not the way she had wanted to meet the great man!

AJ helped the beautiful woman to her feet after picking up the things that had scattered from her hands. She wasn't in uniform, so she couldn't be military, but she also didn't have a visitor's badge on. If she were a burglar he had to admire the new trend in robbery attire. Her sexy little silk dress left quite a lot of her lovely legs on display. She could however be a spy; Webb was always dressing up to the nines when he came schmoozing around. He hoped not though, she was lovely and he found that he could barely tolerate Webb and his ilk. She had a sweet voice as well as a beautiful face; her apology registered that fact for him. Now if he could get over his tongue-tiedness maybe he could respond to her.

To Be Continued….