Chapter 16

'How I wish that were true!' Mac's lovesick side thought before her sensible side could put a lid on her run-a-way thoughts. "I hope she wasn't upset about changing plans at the last minute?"

"Not at all," AJ fibbed.

"Well, since we both missed lunch, why don't I go ahead and order the pizza now? There's a good place locally that can get it here in less than thirty minutes."

"That sounds fine."

"What toppings do you like?" she asked, already hitting the number for her speed dial to Gino's.

"What ever you like Mac, with the exception of anchovies."

"Yuck!" she said with a grimace. "I usually just get all meat, if that's okay?"

"Sounds fine," he told her.

Placing the order, Mac hung up the phone and wondered what to do now. She had imagined AJ in her apartment so many times in the past, but each of those times, it had all led to them ending up in her bed, making wild passionate love. Mac was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen tonight. However, she was still wondering what to do until the pizza arrived when AJ's cell phone rang.

"Chegwidden," he answered after apologizing to Mac for the interruption.

"Sir, I just got off the phone with Trisha Burnett, she and Frank will be flying in later tonight. I've arranged for a hotel room for them, I didn't think they'd be comfortable staying at Harm's apartment."

"Good thinking Sturgis. Was there anything she needed?"

"She's still in shock Sir, but I was thinking that she might want some help going through his things this weekend. I told her I'd be glad to collect his personal things from his office."

"That's fine Sturgis, I'm here with Mac, let me check with her, but I'm sure that we could all find a time to meet with his mother tomorrow."

Mac gave him a sad smile and nodded. "Yes, Sturgis, she's available too. Arrange the time and we will be there."

When AJ put his phone away, Mac said, "She must be devastated AJ."

"I'm sure she is. No parent expects to outlive their child. That's why I wanted us to be there if his mother needs anything from us. And Mac, I know how close you and Harm were, so that goes for you too. If you need anything, just let me know."

"All I really need is for you to take me seriously when I tell you that somehow I know your life is in danger and I want you to be extra careful until we figure out what is going on."

More to humor her in this trying time than actually believing someone was trying to kill him, AJ promised, "I will Mac."

The pizza arrived a few minutes later and the two of them sat down to eat. Mac looked down at the slice in her hand and told AJ how she and Harm had been working late one night and had ordered a pizza. She explained how she'd given him a hard time over a piece of green pepper that had encroached onto her half. That seemed to open the floodgates and the two of them talked, sharing Harm-stories way into the wee hours.

It was 0247 EST when AJ happened to look down at his watch and notice how late it was. Knowing they both needed some sleep to be able to help Trish later that day, Mac didn't try to keep him when he shrugged back into his uniform jacket. He put his discarded tie in his pocket before reaching for his overcoat. Their good nights were only slightly awkward after all the hours they'd just spent together outside of work. AJ promised to pick her up for whatever was going on because her car was still at the office. He said he'd drop her back at it when they were done.

Thanking him, she walked him to the door and watched him walk down the hall away from her. Her dreams that night were filled with 'what ifs?'.

To be continued…..