Chapter 5A

Monday, 30 June 03
1900 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, VA

AJ pulled into his driveway and parked in the garage, grateful to be home. His day had gone from bad to worse after he'd spoken to Jules. He hadn't even been able to make it out for lunch after talking with Mac. After dealing with the latest snafu the paperwork mountain on his desk was calling out to him; it had taken AJ nearly all afternoon, with interruption, to whittle the stack down to something resembling a ream of paper. God, he hated Mondays.

When he entered the kitchen from the garage, Jules was walking in from the living area. She must have been home for a while, AJ thought, since her hair was wet and she was wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. "Hey, Marine." AJ greeted, after seeing her shirt.

"Hey, Sailor!" Jules walked up to AJ and took everything from his hands and put it on the counter; with his hands finally free and just a cover on his head, Jules wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Wrapping his arms around Jules and bringing her up against his body, AJ lost himself in her. His day melted away; he could feel his tense muscles relaxing and his libido, always close to the surface, raging now that he had Jules in his arms.

"Mmm." Jules took AJ's cover and put it on the counter. "I think that the uniform has to go Admiral. I want my AJ."

AJ growled and pulled Jules against his straining erection. He felt her wrap her legs around his hips and hold on with her arms. "I think that can be arranged." AJ started walking towards his bedroom with Jules wrapped around him like a monkey.

When AJ walked into the bedroom, Jules unwrapped her legs and let her toes touch the floor. She reached up and started peeling AJ out of his Admiral's suit. With each layer of clothes removed, Jules could see his mantle of command falling away until he was in just his boxers and t-shirt. AJ stood in front of her and the Admiral was on a hanger bound for the dry cleaners.

"Want a shower now, Sailor, or after?" Jules asked, nibbling on his ear.

"After." AJ wrapped his hands in her hair and pulled her mouth to his. "Definitely after."

Jules moaned as AJ ravaged her mouth and started peeling her out of her clothes. When they were both skin to skin AJ lowered her to the bed and proceeded to show her just how much he'd missed her.

It wasn't until much later that Jules showered with AJ and even later still until they made it to their dinner.

"AJ, I haven't had such good Vietnamese in years. Where did you get it?" It tasted almost like authentic local food.

They were back in bed, eating naked from take out cartons with chop sticks; every now and then they would feed each other a tid bit from their own dinners. "There's this little place in Falls Church, near JAG, called Three Sisters. It's owned by a couple that settled here after Vietnam, so the food is really good. I haven't had anything this good since I was in country years ago." AJ took a sip of his iced tea before passing it to Jules. Was it crazy of him to think it sexy and cute that Jules wanted to share his iced tea rather than get her own glass?

"I haven't had decent Vietnamese in years." Jules mumbled around a bite of egg roll.

AJ looked over at Jules, "Tell me again what were you doing in 'Nam?"

Quirking an eyebrow, Jules asked, "You mean besides getting Malaria?"

"I forgot you have Malaria too." AJ chuckled, "We do make a pair, don't we. I got Malaria two days before I left the country. The meds didn't work I guess."

"Didn't work for me either, now I take the pills if I feel it coming on. If I catch it quick enough I can take the shots otherwise I'm stuck with quinine and riding it out until it's all over." Jules grumbled.

"I haven't had a break out in years so I haven't taken the shots." AJ took his iced tea back and asked, "So really, what were you doing in country?"

"Cleaning up. There were a few guys hanging around that wanted to start the war all over again in the late '80's. I went in with a couple of guys from Marine Recon and took out the hard targets. I was there for three days, got bit the first day."

AJ gathered up the empty cartons from their dinner and kissed Jules, telling her to stay put. With AJ gone, Jules ran into the bathroom to take care of some business and was back in bed before he returned.

"Sneaky little mynx." AJ admonished as he settled back in bed next to Jules and stretched out next to her.

"I figured you would appreciate the initiative." Jules turned on her side to face AJ and cuddled up to his chest.

"Initiative?"

"Uh huh, I had to go to the bathroom so instead of waiting until you got back and loosing a few moments together, I snuck into the bathroom while you were away." Jules grinned.

"Well then I do appreciate your initiative." AJ captured her lips and as he was pulling her closer to him the telephone rang. Rolling Jules onto her back AJ reached over her to grab the phone from the nightstand.

"Chegwidden! This better be important." AJ all but growled.

"It's important. This is General Jones, Admiral. Is JC available, she told me she'd be with you this week?" Jones sat back in his office chair and grinned. He couldn't wait to razz the Colonel.

AJ handed the phone to Jules and mouthed, "CO," to her and settled part of his weight on top of her. He felt her legs come around his hips as she took the phone.

"Merriweather."

"Colonel, I trust my timing was appropriate." Jones chuckled.

"Actually, General, your timing in this matter sucks. What can I do for you?" Jules settled back on the pillows and tried to concentrate on the General while AJ mouthed her neck and tried to distract her.

"I received a subpoena for you for next week. I was asked to clear you for the entire week just in case. So in the interest of you sitting around all week and waiting on someone else's time table I have an assignment for you." Jones could here rustling in the background and refused to allow himself to think of its cause.

"An assignment, Sir? What could I possibly do while sitting around a court house all day?" Jules asked. AJ was doing a good job in distracting her, but Jules was trained to multitask and not get sidetracked.

"You can take your laptop and revamp the training manual and curriculum of the sniper training."

"General." Jules wanted to whine, but only allowed slight irritation to come through in her voice. It was likely because AJ's ministrations were making her reaction mellower. How could you be angry when your lover was nibbling on her ear and molding your breast and pinching your nipple?

"I know you hate this kind of work, but the teachers are going off of your notes and lectures anyway. Recreate the program from start to finish. You don't need to complete it in the whole week, but get it done soon. When you come in here on Thursday I'll have the files you need in hard copy and on disk for you to update."

"Ung, fine. But next time get Crash to do the paperwork." Jules mumbled.

"Buck up Marine, it's more down time for you to get your system under control." Jones asked a subtle question and waited for her answer.

Jules heard his concern and hastened to reassure him, "Hey, I'm game for the down time, just wish I wasn't doing paperwork."

"Would you rather be in Coronado teaching SeAL training? Lieutenant Rivers has been asking for you lately." Jones cajoled.

Jules looked down at the top of AJ's head and felt him dip his tongue into her belly button. Would she rather be in California for 12 weeks of training wanna be's or would she rather be here with AJ doing paper work for a week? No contest. "Tell Rivers I'm busy."

Jones laughed, "All right. I'll go now so AJ can stop cursing me and you two can get back to snuggling." He could hear Jules sputtering as he hung up.

Jules hung up the phone and AJ took it, throwing it to the floor beside the bed before capturing her lips in a searing kiss. He spent the rest of the evening snuggling with her until well after midnight.

AJ rolled over onto his back, taking Jules with him until she sprawled across his chest and her legs tangled with his.

"Mmm, I guess we don't need to run again in the morning."

AJ chuckled, "No, I don't suppose we do. We can use the gym tomorrow night in the basement."

"Ok." Jules snuggled into AJ's neck, feeling drowsy from their love making and AJ's soft caresses on her back and bottom. "AJ?"

"Hmm?" He was trailing his fingers along the hollow of her spine, listening to her breathing.

Jules mumbled, "I'm gonna go to sleep now."

Smiling, AJ murmured, "Ok, Darlin'."

"Mmm. Love you, AJ." Jules whispered.

Before AJ could reply Jules was already asleep. He reached up and turned out the light, grateful that he'd secured the house earlier and didn't have to disturb Jules now. AJ pulled the sheet and coverlet over Jules and wrapped his arms around her before getting comfortable and settling in to sleep. As he was drifting off he couldn't help but think that he never wanted to fall asleep without Jules ever again.

Thursday, 3 July 03
1500 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA

"Enter!" Mac called out.

Harm strolled into the office and asked, "Mac, I have to see Colonel Merriweather today to get her statement for Corporal Coyne's court martial, do you want me to talk to her about the Jenkins case while I'm there?"

"No, Harm, her testimony will be pretty straight forward. Just ask her to meet us in a conference room about forty-five minutes before the trial starts so we can review her testimony." Mac appraised her partner, he was anxious to be heading out to his meeting and it was an hour away. "Come on Harm, I'll walk you to the elevator."

"Thanks Mac. Say, are you going to be going to Harriet's picnic on the 4th?" Harm asked as they walked through the bullpen.

"Sure I'll be there. Are we going to the fireworks in DC after or were we staying at Harriet's to watch the ones in town there?" Harriet and Bud may live in a small town, but they had great fireworks that they could see from their house.

"I don't know." Harm held the door for Mac and walked through behind her.

"Harm, listen." They stopped and waited for the elevator, unaware that the Admiral was in the hall coming from the men's room. "I know you're interested in Colonel Merriweather, but don't go there." Mac cautioned.

"What are you talking about, Mac?" Harm tried to deny it but his partner knew him too well.

"I'm talking about you being on time for a meeting at the Pentagon, I'm talking about catching you straightening your ribbons. I know the signs Harm, I've seen them often enough. She wasn't interested in your Flyboy charms and then she took you down over missing a meeting with her and that intrigued you, no one really stands up to you, but she's a senior officer, Harm. Watch yourself. She's not one that's known to date; at least she wasn't years ago."

"Mac, I'll admit she's a beautiful woman and I'd love to get to know her."

"Harm, I don't know what her job is but it's something serious, something she always evades talking about. What ever it is, you'll never get to know her." Mac tried to convince him.

AJ listened and found himself feeling jealous, feeling an anger build in him aimed at Harm. Harm was going to try to pick up his girlfriend. AJ passed on by, casually, and went to his office, slamming the door behind him.

Harm entered the elevator and pushed the button for the lobby, "Mac, I won't make it obvious, but I have to find out if she's interested too."

Thursday, 3 July 03
1545 EDT
The Pentagon
Washington D.C.

Jules sat in the conference room adjoining the General's office; she had her laptop and backpack briefcase in front of her getting the paperwork ready for next week's assignment. There was so much that needed revising. Since she went through the program years ago the information had been updated, improved upon, but the curriculum was the same. The emphasis needed to be redirected.

Jules quickly realized she would need to recreate the entire curriculum as well as the training manuals and schedules. What about a mentoring program, she wondered.

"Enter!" Jules called out when she heard a knock on the door.

"Colonel," Corporal Hauer announced, "Commander Rabb is here to see you."

"Send him in. Thanks." Jules was almost finished organizing her paperwork so when Rabb came in she said, "Take a seat Commander," before he was able to come to attention and announce himself.

Harm sat down and watched the senior officer. She couldn't be much more than thirty in looks but he knew that to have her Eagles she would have to be closer, much closer, to his age. Today she was wearing her hair up in a French braid with the tail tucked up under the braid, her cover was another of those baseball style caps and it sat on the table next to her. Her uniform consisted of her green fatigues which really played up her green eyes.

Jules sat and finished up her notations in her files and prepared to shut down her computer. She could feel the Commander's eyes on her and wondered if there wasn't something else in the room he could stare at while waiting for her. Why was he watching her anyway?

"So tell me Commander, are you early because you didn't want to be on time or even worse, late?" Jules asked with her eyebrow raised sardonically.

Harm smiled his most charming smile and said, "I didn't like the idea of you being mad at me again." He looked down and then back up at the Colonel with a sheepish smile.

"I wasn't mad at you Commander." She saw Harm's expression lighten. "I was furious with you. I was just off an op and could have gone right home to sleep for a week but instead I do you a favor."

"I'm really sorry I stood you up, Colonel." Harm tried to apologize again.

"Next time you decide to stand up a Colonel, call her, Commander." Jules stuffed her backpack with her laptop and notes and withdrew a file folder.

"I would have, Colonel, had I your number." Harm said, charmingly.

"You had the number for the General, Commander." She handed him the file folder.

"What's this?" Harm asked, opening the folder and beginning to read.

Jules sat back in her seat, "That's a written account of what happened in the bullpen, I've signed it, do you need something else?"

Harm continued to read and surmised that this would be perfect for a statement and he signed it, making it official. "Actually, for now, Ma'am this would be perfect. I'm sure you won't need to testify for this case."

"Hmm, but I do for the Jenkins case." Jules mumbled.

"Yes, Ma'am. On that subject, I think it would be prudent to go over your testimony before Monday. Throw some questions out and have you answer them." Harm slipped into his most charismatic voice. "You've testified before at a trial?"

"Yes, I have." Jules assured him.

"I'm sure you've testified in a military trial, Colonel, but have you ever testified in a civilian trial? It can be tricky." Harm leaned forward in his chair, closer to the Colonel and proposed, "Perhaps we could go for dinner tonight and discuss your testimony." Harm smiled, saying, "There's this nice restaurant in Annandale you might like-"

Jules quickly interrupted him, wondering where this conversation was going, "Commander, while I appreciate the invitation, I can't this evening. Perhaps we can meet a few minutes before the trial starts or during a break. I'm sure you won't be calling me right away." Jules stood and grabbed her sunglasses and keys from inside her cover. Donning her glasses and cover, Jules grabbed her backpack and made for the door with the Commander hot on her heels.

"No we weren't planning on calling you right away; we were going to see how the prosecution unfolded." Harm had to hustle to catch up with the Colonel; for such a short legged woman, she sure moved fast.

"Well then, Commander, you don't need to speak with me then about the trial." Jules punched walked through the outer office and said to Hauer, "Corporal, I'm outta here. Tell the Boss I'll be on my cell all day tomorrow."

"Yes Ma'am. Commander Cushing called in to say he was going to be on his boat for the weekend if anything came up and asked me to tell you good luck on the paper work next week."

Jules caught Hauer's smirk, "I'm sure he did, Hauer. If he calls in tell him I'll get him next time I see him." Jules grabbed the last of her messages and walked out, calling, "Have a good holiday Hauer, stay outta trouble."

Harm followed the Colonel into the hall, "Colonel."

"Yes, Commander?" Jules asked, wondering what more he could possibly want now that he had his statement and an arrangement to meet for the trial next week. What was left?

"Why don't you call me Harm." When he saw the Colonel raise that same eyebrow once again, he continued, "Since you're busy this evening, maybe you'd like to get together some other time, maybe have lunch next week during the trial."

Jules, not used to attention from the male population, was unsure how to handle the situation diplomatically and choose to say only, "We'll see Commander," fully intending to be unavailable at lunch time next week. She opened the door to the stairwell and said, "Have a good holiday weekend, Commander. Dismissed." Jules sprinted down the stairs as quickly as she could, trying to escape a sticky situation.

Most of her life men never paid much attention to her; usually it was because of the aura she gave off, one of command. Men didn't feel comfortable approaching her because of this aura, because of her self-confidence. The few times someone had approached her she had been interested only to be disappointed later when it didn't work out. It was unusual for someone to ask her out like that, especially a junior officer, and Jules wasn't sure how to deflect the unwanted attention without hurting the other person and saving them from loosing face.

This could be even more awkward though, Jules thought as she reached the underground parking lot; this was a man who worked for AJ. How uncomfortable could that be?

Jules checked the clock in the car and noticed that she had plenty of time to stop at the store and still beat AJ home.

Thursday, 3 July 03
1830 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, VA

AJ hadn't been able to shake his bad mood after hearing Rabb talk with Mac at the elevators earlier this afternoon. What had he done during his meeting with Jules, what had Jules done? How had she reacted? AJ slammed his cover and briefcase down on the hall table and tried to reign in his temper and his possessiveness. He refused to feel jealousy, he wanted to trust Jules; he did trust Jules.

But he couldn't help but feel jealousy curl his insides.

"Hey Sailor." Jules walked from the kitchen, still in her uniform, and greeted AJ with a warm hug and a kiss. She didn't want to start anything they didn't have time for, so she pulled back before the kiss could become too heated. "Mmm. How was your day?"

Her kiss tasted just as sweet as it did this morning when they parted and AJ cursed himself for comparing her kisses, for looking for evidence of something that wasn't there. "The morning was good, the afternoon was terrible. How about you?" Was he fishing? He felt like he was fishing. Why was she still in her uniform? She should have been home long enough to change or shower, what had she been doing? AJ hated that he was actually wondering about it.

"The morning was boring, the early afternoon was full of paperwork and the late afternoon was weird." Jules made a face and pulled AJ with her into the bedroom. They both needed to change before they picked up Francesca and Jules needed a shower.

AJ followed Jules into the bedroom and toed off his shoes. "Boring I get, paperwork I understand even better, that was what my morning was like, but weird?"

"Yeah, weird." Jules thought back to the subtle but somewhat obvious Commander Rabb and shucked the rest of her uniform in a hurry, desperate to get into the shower with AJ.

Once they were under the spray together Jules asked, "AJ, do you, we, have any plans for tomorrow?" She noticed he stopped washing her hair long enough to ask why. "Well because Crash called to see if the guys can invite themselves over to my place for a cook out and watch the fireworks over the river. I didn't know if we had any plans and you wanted to join them, or if I should just tell them to go ahead without me."

"What did you tell them?" AJ asked, hating himself for trying to read something in to everything she said.

Jules rinsed the shampoo out of her hair and worked in the conditioner as she faced AJ who was washing away the soap. "That they could go ahead and have the cook out there but that I didn't know if we would be there."

"We?" AJ asked. He didn't know that she was telling people about them already. Was she?

"Hmm. You don't know the ribbing I had to take because of that, too. I was talking to Crash, he remembers you." Jules leaned in and stage whispered, "By tomorrow night my entire team will know that I'm in a relationship." Jules grinned thinking of the ribbing she was going to have to deal with.

"I wasn't sure, with Francesca coming, if we had any plans for tomorrow and I didn't want to make any without talking to you first. I thought maybe you had something special planned for Francesca or maybe just some father daughter time." Jules hoped not, she wanted to meet Francesca, get to know her, but she would understand if AJ wanted to be alone for a while with his daughter.

"Everyone from JAG is going to a cookout that Harriet and Bud Roberts are having at their house. I've been meaning to mention it to you, to see if you wanted to go." AJ lifted her out of the tub and started drying her gently. "I don't know what Francesca will want to do."

"Well why don't you leave it up to her?" Jules asked, returning the favor of gently patting AJ's chest dry. "If it's in the evening she may want to go after she's slept off her jetlag."

"She's met most everyone from the office; she just may want to go." AJ walked into the bedroom to get dressed.

Jules followed behind him and grabbed a dress from the closet; it was one of Francesca's designs from a year ago but it was one of Jules favorites. AJ must have had an off day, Jules thought, he was acting a little solitary, like he wanted to be alone.

"AJ?" He turned to face her and she noticed that his eyes were a little shadowed. She wouldn't add to his worries by telling him about Rabb, there wasn't anything he could do anyway, but she wanted to tell him, share with him, maybe AJ could talk to him. But there was something going on in his mind that prevented Jules from adding to his troubles.

When she just looked at him for a few seconds, AJ finally asked, "Yes?"

Shaking herself out of it she said, "Did you want to go and pick up Francesca alone? Maybe take her to dinner before coming back here?" Jules hesitated putting the dress on and just held it, saying, "I went to the market today after my last meeting, picked up a few things I noticed we were running low on, so I can have dinner here alone if you want Francesca to yourself for a while." After all, her week at Quantico was over, she didn't need to stay here any longer. Was AJ tired of her company?

So that's where she'd been this afternoon. AJ chastised himself for the relief he felt. "What are you talking about? I told Francesca you would be coming with me, I want you with me." AJ pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately, atoning silently for what he had thought. "Put your dress on." AJ swatted her affectionately on the tush and continued to dress. He noticed a basket on the bed, "Darlin', did you do a load of laundry?"

When Jules head cleared her dress she looked over at AJ. "Yes, I did. I only packed a few things last weekend and since I had some time I thought I'd run them through the wash. I did a load of your clothes too since I saw them in the hamper. Is that ok, AJ?"

AJ thought she looked beautiful in that dress. "Of course it's ok; we're just going to have to take you home this weekend so you can pack more clothes."

Jules watched him, stunned, as he pocketed his wallet, handkerchief and keys and left the room. Her thoughts were whirling, he wanted her to stay longer than the week, and he wanted her to pack to stay for a while. Jules couldn't help the silly grin that spread across her face.

Thursday, 3 July 03
2030 EDT
Baggage Claim
Dulles Int'l Airport, VA

"Where is she? Something's happened." AJ fretted and paced the length of the baggage claim area.

"She's fine, AJ, nothing's happened. She probably needed to go to the bathroom." Jules tried to placate the frustrated and worried father.

AJ stopped and stared at Jules like she'd lost her mind, "Not even Francesca needs half an hour in the bathroom. Well, to use the facilities I mean. It takes her forever to get ready to go somewhere." AJ shook his head and resumed his pacing.

Jules dragged AJ over to a bench facing the direction that his daughter would likely come from and forced him to sit. His nervous pacing wasn't helping him; it was only making her edgy. She stepped in front of him and raised his chin with her fingertips, "Honey, I'm sure she's fine. The flight was long, she's probably tired and not walking as quickly as she normally would. She might have had to stop at the ladies. It takes forever to disembark on those commercial flights. She will be here soon."

AJ sighed and wrapped his arms around Jules thighs and buried his face in her stomach. She was right, and he knew she was right. He did this every time, fretted for no reason. The last time it took Francesca nearly forty-five minutes to get to baggage claim because she stopped to talk to a pilot that struck her fancy. He pulled Jules into his lap and kissed her.

"Sorry." AJ apologized, "I'm always a wreck until I see her and make sure she's ok."

"I understand AJ, really. It's ok. She'll be here in a little bit. She's a woman; she's probably in the ladies fixing her face or something." Jules kissed the top of AJ's head and rested her cheek there while she rubbed his back. "AJ, are you nervous about her meeting me?" Jules remembered that his daughter and last girlfriend didn't get along.

"A little. She's perfectly fine with me dating; she approved of one the one woman I was serious about. Francesca loved Laura as much as I did." AJ felt a soft pang in his heart for Laura.

"What happened, AJ?" Jules asked, noticing the sadness in his eyes.

AJ explained about the man that tried to kill him years ago and how Laura was killed in front of him, in his place.

Jules caressed his face saying simply, "I'm sorry, AJ."

AJ smiled a sad smile but his eyes were warm and loving as they gazed at Jules. "I dated after Laura died, it took a while though. Francesca has never approved of anyone I've dated since Laura. She told me I wasn't serious about Meredith and was happy when we broke it off. You're similar to Laura in a lot of ways and completely different in others."

Jules smiled and said, "I'll just have to make it on my own merits I guess."

"You'll do fine, Darlin'." AJ kissed her deeply and it soothed him, she had a calming effect on him but she also stirred his blood. He pulled back from her sweet lips when he felt himself harden. "That's if she ever shows up." AJ scanned the crowed of milling people and noticed his daughter about five feet away from him staring at him in shock. He could tell she was surprised at his public display of affection, it was unusual for him, but with Jules it felt right.

Jules saw the dawn of recognition in AJ's eyes and turned to find the face she'd seen in so many picture frames in AJ's house. She saw Francesca, just a few feet away. She was smartly dressed in one of her own designs. Her hair was up, her makeup light and flirty. Despite the flawless appearance, Jules could see beneath it to her fatigue.

Smiling warmly Jules got up off AJ's lap, allowing him to stand.

AJ held Jules hand as they approached his daughter, when they were in front of her AJ dropped her hand when Francesca dropped her luggage and launched herself at him.

Jules giggled at the sight.

"Oh, Papa!" Francesca hugged her father hard, arms around his neck and covered his face in kisses when they pulled back.

"It's so good to see you, Daughter." AJ hugged her to him once again; he closed his eyes and savored the feel of her in his arms. She was so precious to him and he was so happy she was here.

"I missed you Papa." Francesca pulled slightly away from her father and looked discreetly at the woman he had been kissing. She saw her carefully picking up the carryon she had dropped and looping her purse over her shoulder.

"I missed you more." AJ kissed her on both cheeks. "I want you to meet someone." He took her hand and looked for Jules.

Francesca noticed that she was smiling brightly with a film of moisture over her eyes.