Chapter 36

"I have no clue, Bud, why?" Mac asked him.

"Well they both looked pretty happy. I haven't seen the Admiral look that happy in a long time."

"After what happened with Meredith, I think he deserves to have some happiness in his life. She's a very attractive lady, let's hope she's good for him."

"Yeah and Harriett will be pleased to know that he's found someone to be with," Bud smiled as he bit into his sandwich. "She worries about him spending too much time alone.

"If Harriett had her way, she would have all of us married and in homes that had neat little white picket fences around them," laughed Mac. "Plus two point five children."

Bud laughed, "No, I believe she thinks four is the perfect number, these days."

"God forbid!" groaned Mac hurrying out of the break room with her cup of coffee in hand.

Arriving at Callisto's AJ and Miranda were escorted to a table where their order was taken and once they were alone, AJ reached out to take her hand. "I'm within reach again, but I guess it's my turn to kiss you," he said as he slowly kissed each finger and her palm.

"Feel free to reach out and touch me anytime," sighed Miranda enjoying the caress of AJ's mouth. "Do you think we're going too fast?"

"No, but if you're worried I can back off. I don't want to risk losing you, Miranda."

"No, AJ, I don't want you to back off, but neither do I want you to think of me as someone who sleeps around," she said biting her lip.

"Miranda, sweetheart, that never once entered my mind. We discussed the fact that I've been the first since your husband's death and I believe you. So if you don't want me to back off, then I say we let nature take its course, unless you're worried about the fact that I've had a few lovers since I've divorce? I was even engaged last year."

"I'm sorry about your broken engagement, were you able to remain friends?"

"No, I caught her in bed with another man. She wanted me to forgive her, but I couldn't get the image out of my mind, and her unfaithfulness was just too much for me."

"I can understand that, after you told me that you valued honesty above all else, I can see where that would be something unforgivable."

"I really hate to dwell on past mistakes, I just try and learn what I can from them and move on."

"That's wise of you," she smiled as she patted his hand on the table.

They ate lunch and talked about what they wanted to do that evening. AJ flushed just a bit when Miranda winked and said, "Other than the obvious?"

"Yes," he grinned, making a mental note to stop at the drug store and replenish his condom supply.

"So we're agreed that you'll come over for dinner this evening?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes we are. Would you like me to make a batch of brownies?" he teased.

With a sigh she told him that she could only allow herself a treat like that rarely and this was much too soon for another batch. "However, if you'd like to bring a clean uniform I'd like it if you stayed for breakfast," she invited.

"I keep a spare uniform at the office so I won't even have to go home to get one," he admitted.

AJ's thoughts were on the evening ahead as he left the office with his clean uniform, in it's dry cleaning bag, hooked over his shoulder and his cover tucked under his arm. That was how he breezed through the bullpen not even hearing PO Coates' call of 'Attention on Deck' or seeing the speculative stares of his staff as he left them standing at attention until he stepped into the elevator that seemed to open just for him.

He made a quick stop at the drug store and met the young ladies' surprised stare with a bland look as he placed three boxes of condoms on the counter. AJ wasn't sure if it was his age or the fact that he was getting so many, or a combination of the two, but he just calmly paid her and managed to get out the door before allowing himself to chuckle at the look she'd given him.

To Be Continued….