Rating: PG

Spoilers: Everything

Summary: Third of a trilogy after 'Nerves' and 'Regrets.'

Disclaimer: These characters belong to CBS and Bellisarius Productions. I am simply borrowing them for a little fun.

Notes: Feedback is more than welcome. Please don’t archive this without my permission. Thanks for the great beta job, Janna.

I walk back down the aisle, again by myself but without the nervousness. I pause momentarily at his side as I whisper, "I think we need to talk." I see the understanding in his eyes before I continue on my way back to the changing room. I briefly wonder how Mic is going to break the news to everyone but I try not to worry about that too much. I have plenty of other things to think about right now and I know I won’t have any time to myself soon to think about any of them.

I hear a knock on the door. I was surprised that people waited this long. I open to door to Harriet and she walks in after ordering Bud to not let anyone else in.

"Mic explained that you luckily realized that you and he were making a mistake and you couldn’t go through with it."

I lower my head in shame. Even after I leave him at the altar he defends me, he was so good to me. I hope one day he finds a woman who will love him like he deserves to be loved.

"Can you help me with these buttons?" I say quietly. Harriet helps as I struggle out of the dress then pauses as I pull my other clothes back on.

"I’m surprised that the Admiral was late and had to stand up at the back of the church," says Harriet.

I look up at Harriet and see in her eyes that she knows why the Admiral was standing and it had nothing to do with the lack of seats. I can also tell that once Harriet leaves this room she will make sure that everyone at the wedding will think the Admiral was just late.

"Thank you, Harriet." I know that her doing that will save both of our careers.

"Come out later if you feel like joining us. Mic says there is no point to let the food and the band go to waste." Harriet slips out the door before I could say anything.

I start to think about what options I have now. The Admiral, AJ, I smile to myself as I allow myself to think of him as AJ for the first time, he cares for me. I know that I will have to leave JAG maybe even the Corps but I think that it will be worth it. I just need to talk to him first. I wonder if he will stop by before he leaves today.

I hear raised voices outside the door. I smile as I think that Bud has taken his duty as doorman seriously. I open the door a crack and I see Mic. "It’s okay, Bud," I say. Bud looks at me then steps aside to let Mic pass.

I wait until Mic shuts the door behind him then I say, "I’m sorry, Mic. I know that isn’t enough to say but it’s all I can say."

"I know, Sarah. I shouldn’t have pushed you."

"You didn’t Mic. You are a great guy but you deserve someone who loves you more than I can. I’m so sorry."

"Sarah, you don’t have to apologize. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. That’s not your fault." He falls quiet for a moment before he continues. "We’re still doing the reception outside. Will you come?"

"I might but it might be best for me to just go home."

"If you think so, but you might have fun. I’ll see you there if you come out." I watch him as he turns and walks away. I am amazed at how well he is taking this. I would be furious. I sit back down and I try to relax, but of course there is another commotion outside the door. This time it was Harm.

"Step aside, Lieutenant."

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't do that. I was given a direct order."

"By the Admiral?" Harm asks in surprise.

"No, sir. My wife." I can't help but smile then I hear more conversation between the two of them but it is mumbled. Moments after Harm walked off, Bud lightly knocks on the door.

"Ma'am. Gunny's going to stand watch for a little while. I'm going to run and get something to eat. Would you like me to bring you anything?"

"No thank you, Bud," I call out. Just as I was able to relax a small bit, I hear the door open, but it isn't the one that Gunny is guarding. I didn't even realize that this room had a back door. So much for my observational skills.

Meanwhile, just a few feet away…

I walk into the door that Harriet had pointed out, she was right. She had said I would find what I was looking for through this door. I stand there silently, trying to think of a way to apologize for ruining her wedding. Before I can say anything she speaks up.

"I told him no before I heard anyone stand up." She sees the surprise on my face. "I should never have said yes. I heard someone stand up and I thought it was Harm. I never expected it to be you."

"I’m sorry." She was hoping that it was Harm, I guess she really does love him, but I see the pain cross her face and I realize that I must be wrong.

"Are you sorry that you stood up?"

"No," I say without hesitation as I take a step closer to her. "I regret that I interrupted your wedding but I regret more that I never told you before."

"Right before the wedding I was so nervous. I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing. I kept wondering about that almost kiss a few years ago." She takes a step in my direction.

"I was thinking the same thing when I stood up. Even though we both know our duty, I still regret not kissing you then." I step even closer to her.

"Me too." She pauses for a moment then continues. "Harriet is telling people that it was a shame that you were late and had to stand at the back of the church."

Again I am surprised. "Does she realize that will probably save both of our careers?"

"Yes, she does."

"I’m sorry that I made it necessary for her to do that," I say truthfully as I move to stand directly in front of her.

"Where do we go from here?"

"I don’t know, Sarah. We’ll have to think of something together." I watch as a smile slowly crosses her face at my use of her first name. "It might take a while but I’m sure if this is what we both want we can do this together." I reach my hand out to touch her cheek, and indeed it is as soft as the rose petal. Her eyes flutter closed as she leans her cheek into my palm. She opens her eyes and I see her heart there. I know that she can see my heart reflected in my eyes.

I lean down to taste her lips for the first time. My lips play softly over hers, not demanding but asking for more. I shudder as her tongue tentatively reaches out and slides across my lip. I wrap my arms about her slim body knowing that this kiss has to end but not wanting it to. Finally, I regretfully pull back and look into her eyes.

"No more nerves, AJ."

"No more regrets."

Nerves         Regrets        No More 

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