Part 4/5

Disclaimers in Part 1

The following day, Francesca started giving him more time alone and he had more and more time to think about what his next step was going to be.  At lunchtime that day, Harriet stopped by to check up on the Admiral. 

"Admiral, how are you feeling today?"

"A lot better, thank you."

They talked for a while until Francesca stepped out of the room.

"The colonel wanted me to bring this over to you," Harriet said as she handed him some files that she pulled out of her coat.  "I didn't think Francesca would want to know we are trying to sneak you some work."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."  He hid the files under a pillow on the couch as Francesca walked back in the room with his medicine. 

Realizing that her lunch hour was almost over, Harriet said good bye.  "Oh.  I almost forgot sir.  The Colonel wanted me to give you this."  She handed him a small brown bag and then left.  AJ opened the bag and began to laugh as he realized what was there.  A nice big bottle of anti-itch cream. 

The rest of the week followed in the same manner.  Harriet would stop by for lunch and Mac would stop by after work and stay until 2100 hours.  They had moved their work into his study and since Francesca was never there when Mac was AJ wasn't worried about her hovering too much.  A part of him enjoyed the time he spent with Mac but he also wished there could be more.  Before the end of the week, Francesca had to leave and go back to Milan, but she said that she would expect him to call if he needed anything.  She also expected him to call each night to ‘check in’ with her.  He tolerantly agreed. 

The week following his release from the hospital, he was back at work, surprising nearly everyone, except Mac.  He happened to run into her in the kitchen. 

“Morning, sir.  How are you feeling?”

“Good, Colonel.  I wanted to ask why you were the only one who wasn’t surprised to see me this morning?”

“Well, when I left with the paperwork last night, you said, ‘See you in the morning.’  I also know how stubborn you can be,” she said with a smile.  “No offense, sir.”

“None taken, Mac.”  He reached to the top cabinet to replace the empty roll of paper towels, but stopped suddenly.

“Sir?”  He lowered his arm and leaned against the counter with his eyes closed.  “Are you okay, sir?”

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes when Mac touched him arm.  He looked over and saw a very concerned Mac.  “Yeah, I’m fine, Mac.  Just pulled my shoulder a bit more than I expected.” 

She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and said, “Come on, sir.  Let’s get you back to your office or would you like me to take you home?”

“My office is fine.  I still have a lot of paper work to do.” She knew that he wouldn’t want anyone to see her helping him so she dropped her hand to her side as she walked beside him to his office.  Once his office door was closed she took his arm and led him to his chair.  He smiled down gently at her but she didn’t notice.

“For your medicine, sir.  If you need anything, just call.”  He nodded as he sat down.  He took her hand as she handed him the bottled water.

“Thank you, Mac.”  She met his eyes and nodded.  Normally, he would not have let any of his team help him, he liked being independent.  But for some reason, he didn’t mind Mac helping him. 

That night was the first night he had alone since the shooting.  He caught himself watching the clock and after a while he figured out that he was waiting for Mac to show up.  He knew the only reason that her visits were considered acceptable was because of his injury.  Now that he was back to work he hadn't realized how much he had come to enjoy those visits.  AJ admitted to himself that he had always cared for her but he knew that he could never act upon those feelings.  Unless he retired.  He sat and thought about his life and where it was heading right now.  In the past few years he had been offered several jobs at local law firms and he was beginning to think that maybe now was the time to take one of them. 

AJ knew that Mac was a big part of his decision to retire but even if she didn't have feelings for him he knew this was the right thing to do.  That was the one nagging thought, was her recent concern genuine or brought on by guilt.  He knew that she held herself responsible for the shooting.  He wasn't sure why though.  It would have happened regardless.  He knew that, he just wished that he could convince Mac of that. 

AJ went to lunch with the SECNAV a few days later to turn in his retirement papers. He knew that it would take a while before the paperwork was completed.  He knew that it would be best to tell his close staff his decision before they heard the scuttlebutt.  He called Mac into his office to let her know about his decision and that in no way was she to blame.  When Mac came into the office, before he could say anything she started to speak.

“Sir, are you feeling ok?”

“Yes, Mac.  I’m feeling fine.  I wanted to tell you something before,” The intercom buzzed.

“Damn interruptions.  What, Tiner?”

“Commander Rabb is here to see you, sir.”

AJ looked at Mac and nearly sighed.  “Fine.  Send him in.”  Harm walked in.  “Rabb have a seat.  I wanted to tell you two something before you heard the scuttlebutt.  I spoke to the SECNAV at lunch and I turned in my resignation as JAG, effective three weeks from Friday.”

“What?” said his two surprised officers.

“I’m going to take a little while off then I have an offer to join a civilian law firm.  I decided to accept it.”

“Sir?” Harm finally managed to speak.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about this.  I think this is the best thing for me right now.  I can retire with full benefits and I’m sure I can eventually find some good benefits of civilian life.”

“Well sir. I think I can speak for all of us at JAG and say that we will certainly miss you.”

“Thank you, Rabb.  Well I guess I had better tell the rest of the office.  Could you send Bud and Harriet in for me first?”

“Of course.”  Harm and Mac got up and left the office.  AJ stood up and walked to the window.  While waiting AJ thought about the look he had seen on Mac’s face when he told them.  He wished Rabb had shown up later, he had wanted to tell her in private.  He could tell she was feeling betrayed by him, he just felt bad that he had caused it. It didn’t escape his notice that she hadn’t said anything when he made his announcement. 

Someone knocked, “Enter.” 

Bud and Harriet walked in.  “Sir, is everything okay?  The Colonel looked upset.”

“I turned in my resignation as JAG,” he said.  “I received an offer for a civilian firm, and I decided to accept it.”

“This is kind of sudden, sir,” said Bud.

“I’ve been thinking about it since the hospital.  I’ve had plenty of time.”

“We’re going to miss you sir,” said Harriet.

“I’ll miss you too, but I’ll still be seeing you.  I’ve got to keep up with little AJ,” he said with a smile.

It seemed like Mac was trying to avoid him, or at least that’s what the Admiral was thinking.  For the next three weeks Mac and Harm spent a lot of time together.  AJ was wondering if he had misunderstood what Mac had said.  What he didn’t realize was that they were planning a party for him.  But the main reason was that Mac wanted to keep a close eye on Harm.  Once she had heard that Brumby had threatened to kill him she was worried that she would lose her best friend. 

"Sir, do you have plans for dinner tonight?" asked Harm.

"No."'

"Well, I'm having a little get together at my place tonight at 2000 hours.  Mac and I would like it if you could come."

"Okay.  I'll see you then I guess."

On that last Friday, AJ gathered his few personal belongings left in his office and walked out, without looking back.  He found it ironic that he had once told Harm to never look back and now he was having a problem with that himself.  In the bullpen he spoke to his team.  “You all have been great people.  I’ve enjoyed working with you all.”  He didn’t know what else to say so he started to walk out. 

At the elevator Mac, Harm and the Roberts met him.  Harriet was crying.  AJ simply handed the box he was carrying to Harm and gave Harriet a hug.  “It’s not like I’ll never see you again, Harriet.  I have to keep up with my namesake.  Besides, there is no crying at JAG Ops,” he said in a mock stern voice.  He smiled and so did she.  He stepped into the elevator and collected the box from Harm.  Just as the doors were closing he said, “Some parting words of advice.  You two are the best JAG team I’ve seen, don’t blow it.” 

Neither knew what he was trying to say, AJ could tell that by their faces.  ‘Oh well.  I tried.’  He thought as he was carried downstairs. He sighed as he thought about the party tonight.  He really didn’t want to see Mac and Harm together, but since he was the guest of honor, he figured that he had to go.  He drove home and changed.  On the way back to Harm’s he stopped by to pick up a bottle of bourbon and on impulse some champagne and sparkling apple cider for Mac. 

To Part 5

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