Title:
The Professionals
Author: Rising Sun
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Rated: PG
Summary: AJ finds
out there that there are always alternatives.
Classification:
Romance: Mac/AJ
Spoiler: The
Stalker, Yeah Baby!, Lifeline, Adrift part 1, New Gun in Town, JAGathon, Port
Chicago, Exculpatory Evidence
Performing in this
saga: Edwin Starr sings "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio"
Disclaimer: JAG
characters portrayed belong to JAG, CBS and Paramount Television. No copyright
infringement intended. All other
characters depicted are purely fictional and any similarities to actual people
are purely coincidental.
Feedback: Send it.
Permission to
archive: Permission granted.
Story written –
August 2002
ADMIRAL AJ CHEDWIGGEN’S RESIDENCE
MC CLEAN, VIRGINIA
Mac stood at the
bedroom door and changed her mind. She
turned back and retraced her steps. “I
think I will take that aspirin.”
AJ had been fiddling with the bottle - unsuccessfully. She tucked her bag under her arm and reached
to assist her Commanding Officer. Really! Men were so helpless at times. Their fingers interlocked and as they looked
up their eyes locked.
Like two magnets
they began to move toward each other.
His lips brushed hers and Mac parted her mouth to allow him access. The kiss deepened. Neither heard when her
bag fell or when the aspirin bottle followed.
Freed of encumbrances AJ pulled the beauty into his arms, as the kiss
got more passionate. She matched his every moved.
Finally they broke
free. There was a pause. Then he spoke “This is wrong.”
Mac said nothing.
AJ began to pace.
“This is wrong.”
“I won’t tell if
you won’t.” She assured him. He glared
at her. “I’m not being flip. And for the record I don’t regret what happened.”
“You don’t?” He was
intrigued.
“No woman in her
right mind would object to being kissed by a man like you.” Mac replied.
“Like me.”
“Powerful presence,
virile, intelligent, handsome… what more could a woman want.” She listed.
“Don’t you over
step the line Mac?”
“Only in here.”
If he had hair he’d
run his fingers through it. “What happens now?”
“Under the UCMJ? Or
in life?” Mac asked. AJ was confused
and maybe a little scared. Mac
pressed. “Tell me if I’m way off base
here, but that kiss was not platonic.
Do you want me AJ?”
AJ suddenly
realized that he had lost control of the situation. Truth be told he’d probably
been lost from the first day this woman entered his office.
[FLASHBACK]
Brumby:
All of you Rabb, Roberts even you sir. You’re all a little bit in love with
Mac.
[END
OF FLASHBACK]
He gulped and
nodded then hastened to add. “Let’s not go there. The regs are against us. Right now we could face a court martial
for fraternization. Let’s just drop it.”
“You are sure this
is what you want?” Mac had to be sure.
“It is not what I
want. It is what has to be.” He was adamant as his heart cracked.
“No one need know.”
She insisted.
“We would know.” He
replied.
She nodded and
left. AJ remained in the bedroom he’d
cry later, for now he had guests to attend to. He followed her out.
====================================
MAC’S ENGAGEMENT
PARTY
MC CLEAN, VIRGINIA
The engagement
party was in full swing. Since the last
time Mac had been at his place under non-business conditions he had managed
barely to hide his loss. Tonight was
proving to be his undoing. He was dancing with her at her engagement party. She
was to marry another man. Why not him!
His mind wandered to the last time he had held her so close. He licked his lips at the memory.
“Sir?” Mac called
to him softly.
“Huh?” He returned
to reality.
“May I ask you a
personal question?”
He got suspicious
but nodded.
“Would you give be
away?” she asked.
He melted. He could
refuse her nothing and this was the crowning glory of their relationship. “I’d
be honored Colonel.”
“Mac.” She
whispered.
==============================
MAC’S ENGAGEMENT
DINNER
AJ and Mac found
themselves in a pocket of quiet together.
“Last time I did
this I was eighteen and drunk.” She confessed and giggled nervously.
He informed her
“Last time I did this I was twenty-four and sober ... same result. We learn from our mistakes and move on.”
“Sir you never
remarried.” She pointed out.
“I was talking
about you not me... Good Lord don't use me as a barometer for anything!” He
chuckled.
“And why not?” She
asked.
He just stared at
her.
She took a quick
glance around to ensure that no one was near enough to hear. “You love me yet
will let me marry Mic?”
“Don’t you love
him?” AJ demanded.
“Not the way I love
you.” She walked away.
==============================
OFFICE OF THE JUDGE
ADVOCATE GENERAL
“Mic has asked for
his records to be sent to RAN.” AJ informed Mac.
She sighed, “He
missed the seafaring life.“
AJ saw her pain and
wanted to comfort her. “No, what he missed out on was you and that makes him a
damn fool.”
“Permission to
speak freely sir?” He nodded his
consent. “He’s no more of a fool than
you.” She informed him.
“Colonel!” AJ was
shocked.
Mc stood her
ground. “Is my TAD approved sir!”
“USS Guadalcanal –
ASAP”
“Thank you sir.”
She saluted and left a confused Admiral.
==============================
OFFICE OF THE JUDGE
ADVOCATE GENERAL
In the time that
Mac had been away AJ had finally admitted to the man in the mirror that Mic had
been right all those years ago. He loved her.
Now he needed to walk a fine line.
When did he become involved and when did he pull back? See? That is why
there are regs! He admonished himself.
And then there was
Rabb. Today he had to deal with him.
“Commander I don’t
usually get involved in the personal lives of my staff but with the recent
events in the Colonel’s life I am concerned. She seems upset.”
Harm confessed, “I
believe it’s something I may have said sir.”
“She seems hurt.”
AJ pressed.
“I seem to be
pushing her buttons.”
”Commander could you stop doing that!” He was exasperated.
“I’m trying Sir.”
Harm assured him.
==============================
ADMIRAL AJ
CHEDWIGGEN’S RESIDENCE
MC CLEAN, VIRGINIA
AJ opened the door
to find Mac standing there in civilian wear. “May I come in?” She asked.
“Huh? Oh yes
please.” He stepped aside.
“If I may be so
bold. Tonight I wish to set aside the ground rules, as we know them. Tonight its AJ and Mac, that alright with
you?”
His radar went up.
“O… K”
They sat.
“I did as you
asked. I almost married another man. I
went away, but I always come back to you.
I realize that you will probably never bring the subject up again so I
left my pride at home and came to see you.”
He had promised,
but the regs popped into his mind. His heart took great objection. “I love you Mac. I think I probably have for
a long time, but I only recently admitted it to myself. But the chain of command…”
She moved to his
side. “Thank you. I love you too AJ. Most folks think that
Harm and I have chemistry and I let them think it. Who my heart belongs to is no one’s business.”
“You love me?” He
was amazed.
“I do. You thought
it was Harm didn’t you.” He nodded. “Then that should prove that we could do
this. Don’t push me away. Please.” She begged.
“If we get caught…”
he was weakening.
“We won’t.” She assured.
“Three ingredients are needed. Our love, discretion and professionalism.”
He snorted,
“Professionalism has never been placed in the same sentence as a love affair
before.”
She smiled “Here it
is vital. Once in public the
relationship must NEVER change. Can you do that?”
He thought about
what they were about to embark upon. “I love you. I can do it.”
“You’d better.” She
kissed him.
==================================
NINE WEEKS LATER
JAG HQ
AJ had been doing
his damndest to be objective where Mac was concerned. The intention was made
difficult by the fact that she was his Chief of Staff, it was made easier than
he expected for as she had promised her attitude to him in the office had not
wavered by one degree. What made it really easy was that since the JAGathon the
two had maintained their daily run together.
People seeing them saw the Admiral and Lt. Colonel had they heard the
conversation they’d have quickly revised the assumption.
Today he was now
about to put their agreement to the test.
AJ approached the woman he loved as she spoke to a junior, “A moment of
your time Colonel.”
She instantly
turned on her heel and followed him.
They stood in the hallway.
“Sir?”
He looked at her
and almost lost control. He managed to
save face by folding his arms. “Help me
out here, Colonel. She's going off the deep end.”
“You want me to
take over, Sir?” She smiled.
[God don’t do that
Mac!] He thought. “I want you to sit
second chair.”
Mac froze “I'd prefer the electric chair, Sir.”
”I realize that.”
Mac forged ahead “Sir, if I may, I never saw Lieutenant Singer as the right
person for this job. This case requires a light touch.”
”That's why I need you, Colonel.” [I
do! I do!] He thought.
”Understood, Sir.”
+ + +
WEEKEND
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
AJ pulled up into
the drive way and spotted Mac’s corvette in the garage. It wasn’t often that she arrived before
him. He stepped out picked up his case
and headed in.
She had heard the
vehicle pull up and was waiting. AJ
stepped through the door and stared. She was waiting for him dressed in a
figure hugging pair of marine green trousers with a sleeveless polo necked
white top and a pair or sandals.
“Something wrong?”
She asked.
“Never.” He
breathed scooped her up and kissed her thoroughly. She kissed him with equal
vigor. “You look beautiful.”
“Why thank you.”
She reached toward the table and handed him a drink.
“... and thank
you.” He drank deeply. “I smell food.”
“Oops the steaks!”
She ran back to the kitchen.
“You’re cooking?”
He followed her in.
“Don’t start
Chedwiggen you are not in my good books.” She warned.
“I’m not?” He
refilled his glass.
Satisfied that the
stakes could get along without her, she focused on the man before her. “You gave Singer the Chicago Fifty case!
What were you thinking AJ! The case required a light touch!”
He groaned.
“Don’t groan answer
me!” She was picking up a head of steam. “Do you have any idea how hard it is
to sit and watch while Singer presides over a train wreck in the courtroom?”
“The only way Singer is going to develop is to get
exposure.” He defended.
“Not on this case. She deserved second chair.”
“Not the electric chair?” He tried to make light of the
situation.
It worked. She
mellowed “Do you know how hard it was to stand there and take that order?”
“About as hard as it was for me to resist kissing
you.” He responded. “Mac working with you is killing me!”
She pouted “Ah AJ my baby. Come let me revitalize you.”
“I’m serious.”
“What are you saying.” She was watchful.
“That I’m addicted.”
Mac relaxed she had anticipated a suggestion of a
breakup. “Have no fear AJ. If the Admiral ever makes an inappropriate
gesture or comment to the Colonel the Colonel will not hesitate to correct the
Admiral in no uncertain terms. Capiche?”
“Capiche.”
“Then of course afterwards Mac can always heal AJ’s
wounds. That Colonel is a mean Marine I’m told.”
“So I’ve heard. So I’ve heard.” AJ kissed her.
==================================
SEVEN WEEKS LATER
SUNDAY - 1010 LOCAL
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
"An automatic alarm... Turns my radio on" The
beat penetrated AJ's brain. He stirred.
"Before my feet can hit the floor... The music's got me ready
to go" He opened one eye. What was going on?
"And
all through the whole day ... I know my favourite records they'll play." He sat up and spotted a blur as a body
twirled round the room. He focused hard. "Mac?" She didn't hear him. He stayed still as he watched her prance to
the infections beat, while keeping perfect harmony as she sang along.
"It
helps me chase all my blues away ... When I can hear that DJ say ... That this
is station H.A.P.P.Y...We plan to help your day go by ... I said it's a
musical, natural high ...H.A.P.P.Y...
We plan to help your day go by ...I said it's a musical, natural high...
" She finally saw him observing her and
blushed to her hair roots. She stopped.
"Don't
stop." He begged, "I was enjoying the floor show."
"Well the show
is over." She announced and snapped the tape off. "Up and at 'em Navy
you promised me brunch and after last night I need food."
He grinned,
"You are insatiable."
"That I
am." She knew the conversation had taken on a double meaning.
+ + +
AJ hit the play on
the CD player. "I didn't plan it I swear." He pleaded as H.A.P.P.Y.
Radio came through the speakers and Mac stared at him. "But apt."
My happy radio is never too far
I just reach out my hand turn the dial
And I know it will make me smile
She ignored him and
picked up on the tune. "Cause this is station ... (H.A.P.P.Y.) ... (We plan to help
your day go by) ... I said it's a musical natural high... On Station H.A. P.P.
Y."
===============================
MONDAY
1919 LOCAL
EN ROUOTE TO HOME
AJ was driving home
alone. He smiled as he recalled the
weekend. He liked spending time with
Mac she was such a little performer. He switched the radio on and began surfing
the channels and came across a familiar song.
Just by mistake
One day I turned on my dial
From my radio came this is incredible sound
The music the were playing right next to me
I start clapping my hands and stomping my feet
[Oh what the heck]
he thought and joined in "Cause they were
H.A.P.P.Y... We plan to help your day go by by by ... It's a musical natural
... Oh Station H.A.P.P.Y... H.A.P.P.Y ... Hey hey hey ... Wooo ."
+ + +
Six months later
Rare Admiral AJ Chedwiggen became Vice Admiral Chedwiggen and was
reassigned from JAG to the Pentagon.
+ + +
THREE MONTHS LATER
JAG KITCHEN
Mac was digging
deep into one of the cupboards when the former JAG walked in. “Looking for something Colonel?”
She whirled around
to the familiar voice. “A… Yes sir
something with enough sugar to put me in coma.”
“Problems?”
“The Commander.”
She smiled, for she was no longer focused on the Commanders.
“Rabb or Turner.”
Mac paused to
refocus. “Both.”
“Anything I can
help with?” He offered eyeing her up and down.
“No you are one of
them.”
“Sorry?”
“Did I say that?”
She blushed. “Can we forget I said
that?” She began to leave but spotted
the box of doughnuts in his hand.
Without thinking she reached over and took one. Then reached and took a
second. AJ just watched her amused.
Their eyes
locked. Mac winked at him and whispered
“Thank you darling.”
He whispered
back. “Welcome my love.”
Mac turned on her
heel and left.
=======================================
DOMINATRIX
Some habits died
hard and despite the fact that he no longer worked at JAG AJ still managed to
find time to hang out with the “gang”
He and Mac just
happened to be seated together at the bar.
Bobbie Latham and Sturgis Turner who were becoming quite the couple were
in attendant as was Rabb. That’s when
Carolyn walked up. She seemed nice enough and like metal to magnet she zoomed
in on Rabb. He chuckled.
“Everything ok
Sir?” Mac asked as she watched Bobbie and Sturgis in a huddle.
“Just observing how
the female of the species always seem taken with Rabb.”
“Well you have your
admirers too you know.” She assured his as much as she dared.
“I know. “ He
stared at his drink. He dared not look at her.
She stood. “Excuse
me a moment.” She smelled a conspiracy and she was about to stop it. She sauntered over to Harm and Sturgis who
were now in a huddle. “You are playing
with fire and I want none of it.”
“The Admiral needs
some company. I know just the person for him.”
“Oh yes and you’ve
been ding so well for yourself.” Mac annoyed.
“Leave this alone gentlemen.”
Just then Carolyn
walked up and presented Harm with her card. “I have to leave. Call me I know a plumber.”
That was Mac’s cue
and she also left. AJ left eight
minutes later. Oblivious to the discussion.
When he did eventually find out he was livid and borrowed the JAG’s office to inform the matchmakers. “When exactly did my office turn into a production of ‘Hello Dolly’?”
Though the door was closed Tiner head it all.
“It’s about a matchmaker.” Harm told Sturgis.
Sturgis replied, “You think I’ve been living under a rock?”
AJ was NOT impressed with the child’s play and let them know all about it. That done he dismissed the dynamic duo and headed for the elevator his mod was too foul to inflict on Mac. But it was not to be and he encountered her at the doors with another lady.
She introduced them.
“So you're a professor?” AJ was nothing is not polite to ladies.
Meredith chuckled “Technically yes, but I feel more like an administrator these days.”
All three related to that and chuckled Mac spoke “The Admiral knows how that feels.”
There was and awkward silence while AJ and Meredith Cavanaugh stared at each other. Mac antenna went up. This was not good but she couldn’t deal with it there. Later would have to do. “Is that my phone?” She said. Neither heard her. “um... “ She walked away leaving AJ and Meredith alone.
Mac was in a funk for the rest of the day.
+ + +
SIX MONTHS LATER
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie.
To
Vice Admiral Chedwiggen
Sturgis stormed
into Harm’s office waiving the invitation. “Did you know about this?”
“Hell no!”
No one ever knew
the true story of Mac and AJ.
END