Chapter 5

"Are you lost, Ma'am? How did you get in here without a visitor's badge?" AJ asked.

It seemed like an eternity that she stood there staring at him, but in reality it had only been a few seconds. When he spoke her knees felt like they would melt, his voice was like his eyes! Rich deep and gave her visions of chocolate! "I work in the building, I don't need a visitor's badge. I'm Captain Miranda Love, the new Judge, and my guess would be that you're Admiral Chegwidden, the JAG himself?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes, I am. I'm pleased to finally meet you Judge Love. Were you on your way somewhere? You're all dressed up…"

"Yes, Sir, I have a date tonight."

"That doesn't surprise me. Someone as lovely as you wouldn't be sitting at home on a Friday night," he smiled at her.

"I'm going out with another Admiral, who's almost as handsome as you Sir."

"Handsome?" AJ laughed, "How long has it been since your last eye exam, Captain?"

"My last physical was two and a half months ago, and I have 20/20 vision, and I would love to stay here and argue your good looks Sir, but if I don't go now, I'm going to be late."

"The least I can do is walk you out. Is this other Admiral meeting you downstairs?"

"Glancing at her watch, she said, "Yes, and he should be here any minute."

"Well then let's get you to your date. Never let it be said that I stand in the way of true love," AJ told her as he put his hand under her elbow and guided her into the elevator pressing the button for the first floor.

"I don't think we need to worry about true love, Tom and I are just very good friends."

"Tom? And an Admiral…would that happen to be Tom Boone?" AJ asked with an odd look on his face.

"Yes it would, do you know Tom?"

"He and I have known each other for years, but I don't know how much of a friend he is if he didn't tell me about a lovely lady like yourself!"

"If you won't believe me when I tell you you're handsome, how can I believe you when you call me lovely?"

"Because we both own mirrors I'm sure, my dear Captain," he responded as they walked out the front door and into the parking lot.

Tom, seeing Miranda and AJ come out of the building together, approached them and said, "Are you trying to make time with my date, Chegwidden?"

"I was trying to convince her that she needed her eyes examined if she was dating an old seadog like you!" he retorted.

"I suppose you think she could do better with you?"

"Well, at least I don't have that goofy brush on my upper lip!" AJ taunted him.

"Now gentlemen, please no more fighting. The way I see it, the only way I could do better was if I had one of you on each arm," Miranda interjected.

"I never was one to share," AJ said. "But if you would like to compare the two of us, I would consider it an honor if you would go out with me tomorrow evening."

"I knew you were trying to make time with my girl!" Tom protested.

"Your 'girl', told me the two of you were 'just friends'," AJ assured him.

"And you know that's the truth Tom," Miranda said.

"Yes, but I live in hope that will change!"

"Well until it does, she is still free to see who she chooses," AJ declared.

"Yes, and I'd love to go out with you tomorrow evening AJ," taking out a small pad of paper from her purse she wrote down her home number and handed it to AJ, saying, "Why don't you call me tomorrow and we can firm up plans?"

"I will do just that," he said taking the paper and nodding at the two of them headed to his Escalade.

As Tom helped her into his car, Miranda turned to him and said, "What was all that talk about wanting more than a friendship, Tom? Were you trying to make Admiral Chegwidden jealous?"

"Nah, I was just taunting the old seadog. I know we have talked about a no strings attached sexual relationship, but nothing's been decided yet."

To Be Continued….