Chapter 22

Mac was crying so hard that she hardly registered that Sturgis was there. AJ's body shielded her from most of the cold air coming in and not even the fact that AJ stiffened when he heard Sturgis' comment got through to her.

"He was her best friend Sturgis," AJ told him.

"He was more than that Sir. A while ago she came right out and told me that she loved him."

"I see, alright, thank you. I'll be sure she's okay."

"Yes Sir, good night."

"Good night Sturgis."

When his window was back up, he gently lifted Mac's chin till she was looking at him. "Was that true Mac?"

"What?" she asked, totally confused by his question.

"Sturgis was just here checking to see if you were alright and he said you told him you loved Harm."

She sighed and laid her head back down on his chest, it felt so right to be in his arms, how she wished he felt that way too. "I did tell him that, it was years ago during a time when I was very confused about a lot of things."

"Mac, it's okay if you loved him," AJ insisted.

Lifting her head and looking him right in the eyes, she said, "I didn't love Harm! There has been someone else in my heart for a long time and Harm knew that. While there might have been a time when we talked about getting together, he knew about this other man and when it came right down to it, neither of us wanted second best."

"I see. Is it Webb, Mac? You know you can do much better than him!"

"No, it's not Clay," she told him with a sad smile.

"You're not pining for Farrow, are you?"

"No AJ, it's not John." Mac sighed, he couldn't even fathom that it could be him she loved.

"You're not going to tell me are you?" he questioned with that half grin of his.

"No, I'm not," she said shaking her head and wondering how it was that he didn't know. She must be better at keeping her feelings hidden than even she knew.

"Alright Mac, but if you ever want to talk please feel free to come to me, okay?"

'Yeah right!' she thought, but all she said was, "I'll remember that."

"I should be getting you home now Mac, it's getting late."

"I guess so…would you like to come in for coffee when we get there?" she asked as he drove to her apartment.

"Thank you for the offer Mac, but it's late and I still have the drive to McLean."

"Oh…I understand."

When they pulled up at her place, she started to get out saying, "I'll see you at work."

"Now hold on there, Mac," he said turning off the engine. "A gentleman always sees a lady to her door."

He got out of the vehicle, came around to her side and took the box of food that Harriett had packed up for her out of her arms. Putting a hand under her arm to keep her from slipping, AJ walked her to her door.

Mac unlocked it and turned to take the box from him, but he walked past her into the apartment and deposited it on her kitchen counter. "There you go," he said and started back towards the door.

"Thank you AJ, you've really been supportive."

"It's alright Mac, it just seemed like you needed a friend. I'll see you at work."

"Yes, Sir," she said trying to remind herself that after all, he was really just her boss.

"I think we can leave it as 'AJ' outside of the office if you like Mac."

"Alright," she replied, as she held the door open waiting for him to step through. Mac felt that if he didn't leave quickly she wouldn't be able to resist the urge to throw herself into his arms. "Good night," she added when he stood there as if waiting for her to say more.

"Good night Mac," he sighed as he stepped through the door and heard it close behind him. He had his answer; Mac didn't want or need him as a friend. She hadn't even used his name after he'd offered. He had always liked and respected Mac as a person as well as a Marine and thought that they might be able to be friends out of work, but it seemed that she didn't feel the same. As he drove home, the thought, "I need to give Vicky a call."

To be continued…..