E-mail: astridz55@earthlink.net

Rating: PG

Spoilers: None

Summary: Mac has some problems with a punch.

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

Notes: Feedback is always welcome. So is glowing praise. Thanks to my betareaders for a wonderful job.

The day before the Admiral’s last day was certainly an exciting one. It was, of course, Webb’s fault. He had once again gotten AJ’s people into trouble. Luckily no one was too seriously hurt. The worse injury was Rabb who had been shot in the leg but he would be fine. Webb had another broken nose, courtesy of Bud this time. The next day, Bud and Harriet had a small party at their place in honor of the Admiral. "Here’s to the Admiral on his retirement," toasted Harriet.

The crowd responded, "Here, here."

Bud then spoke up. "Here’s to Webb for not killing any of our friends."

"Here, here," was the equally loud response.

Harriet and Bud continued to play the perfect host and hostess as their guests had a good time. Harriet noticed that Mac seemed to keep her eyes on the Admiral. For some reason, she seemed to be more outgoing that usual tonight. Harriet couldn’t help but wonder if Mac was going to ask the Admiral out now that he had retired. She let her vision swing over to the Admiral and caught him watching Mac. She couldn’t help but think that just maybe he would ask her out first.

AJ looked at Mac several times when he thought no one was looking and he thought about how he was no longer her boss. Maybe he could get the nerve to ask her out. She seemed to be having a really good time tonight. That surprised him a bit since Rabb wasn’t there that Mac was being so animated. He guessed that she was happy about the fact that Rabb was going to be all right. Little did AJ know Mac was thinking about him also. She had been thinking about asking him out since he announced his retirement. She didn’t think that she would have the courage though. She had always been attracted to him but she could never say anything before. Maybe now was her chance. Mac was having a good time, drinking the punch and chatting with her friends.

Harriet went to answer the phone and was surprised to hear from the hospital. "Is everything okay?" She paused. "That’s wonderful news." She hung up the phone with a smile then turned back to the party. "That was the hospital. It seems that Commander Rabb will be released tomorrow." Another cheer went up from the JAG staff. Mac and AJ both walked over to Harriet..

"So, Harriet. What did the hospital have to say?" asked Mac.

"He’s doing better than expected and they were going to release him tomorrow."

"So in other words, the nurses are tired of dealing with him," said AJ wryly.

"Well, I wasn’t going to say that exactly," commented Harriet with a smile. They all laughed. Harriet suddenly realized that Mac was drinking the champagne punch. "Ma’am. How much of that punch have you had?"

"Why?" she asked as AJ took the glass from her and sipped.

"It’s champagne punch, Mac," AJ said setting the glass down beside her.

"What?" asked a surprised Mac.

"There’s not too much champagne but still," remarked AJ.

"I’ve had quite a bit. I can’t believe I did this. How am I going to get home?" She said suddenly feeling the effects of the alcohol. AJ took her arm to steady her as she swayed a bit.

Harriet called for Bud, but AJ interrupted, "I’ll take her home Harriet."

"I’m sorry, sir. I thought I told her not to drink the pink punch."

"I guess I got them mixed up."

"Don’t worry Harriet, it will be okay," said AJ. He said his good-byes to the few people left at the party, and after collecting Mac’s purse, they headed out.

"I can’t believe I drank the wrong punch, sir."

"Don’t worry about it, Mac. Mistakes happen." She yawned suddenly tired now that she was sitting down.

"Thank you for taking me home. It’s very sweet of you, AJ." She unknowingly reached out and patted his thigh.

AJ was surprised but when she left her hand there he gently picked it up and put it on her own thigh. She sighed in her sleep. In a short time they got to Mac’s apartment. After he removed her keys from her purse he got out then opened her door. He gently lifted her up and after shutting the car door with his foot he carried her to her door. AJ leaned her against the doorframe to open the door but grabbed her quickly as she started to slide down to the floor. With the door finally open, he swung her back up into his arms then gently laid her down on the couch. As she was lying there, AJ went into the bathroom and got some aspirin and then to the kitchen for a large glass of water. He came back into the living room to see her trying to sit up and unbutton her jacket.

"Mac." She looked up, startled to see him there. "Here take these. It’ll make you feel better." He handed her the aspirin and the water. She took a sip and swallowed the aspirin. She tried to hand the water back to him but he insisted, "Drink all of it." Finally she did. Already she was starting to feel a bit better. She tried to tackle the task of getting out of her jacket but her fingers wouldn’t do what she wanted them to do.

For a moment, AJ just watched her fumble with the buttons then he squatted down in front of her and brushed her hands away as he reached for the buttons. She looked at his face and stopping at his lips thought ‘I wonder what it would be like to kiss him.’ She didn’t realize she had spoken out loud until he looked at her. She blushed. He smiled. "You have a great smile, sir." Now he looked a bit embarrassed. She reached out and touched his cheek. He took her hand in his and very gently squeezed. Letting her hand go he finished her buttons and helped her out of her jacket.

After he helped her remove her jacket he reached down to her feet and, taking one in both hands, he slowly removed her shoe while rubbing her ankle. She leaned her head against the back of the couch and sighed deeply. "That feels good." He removed the other shoe and then stood up. "Why’d you stop?" He just smiled and as he sat next to her he told her to lie down. She did and he pulled her feet into his lap and began to rub them. She sighed again with pleasure as she relaxed, his hands felt wonderful. She soon fell asleep again.

He stayed where he was, just enjoying being near her for the moment. He nearly fall asleep himself, still holding her feet lightly in his lap when she started to toss and turn. Unfortunately, her foot connected with a tender spot before he could move. He groaned and held her feet tighter. Even in her sleep she tried to fight him, not liking the fact that she was in any way restrained. She continued to struggle more so he pushed her legs off his lap. This worked but the rest of her went off the couch too. She woke surprised, to say the least, especially when she saw the grimacing AJ. "What happened?"

"You kicked me." He was starting to breathe easier.

"I’m sorry, sir. Are you okay?" She wasn’t sure where she kicked him but from the pained look on his face she wasn’t going to ask.

"Yeah. Just don’t expect any more foot rubs." He reached his hand out to help her up. She stood up, and then she almost fell again, as she was still dizzy. AJ stood up and caught her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and sighed contentedly.

"You feel good," she murmured into his chest. AJ ran his hands down her back and enjoyed holding her even if for just a moment. He knew that he couldn’t act on the feelings he was experiencing. That would be taking advantage of her but she felt so good in his arms, he had waited so long to hold her. She nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder and into his neck. Unable to resist he kissed her on the top of her head then he took a deep breath and pulled away from her. Or at least tried to, she clung to him and mumbled, "Don’t leave me." He looked down at her and was almost lost in her brown eyes. He picked her up and carried her into her bedroom and gently laid her on the bed.

She reached her arms out to pull him closer, he gently brushed her hair off her face and kissed her forehead. "Not tonight, Sarah."

"But, AJ. I want…"

He put a finger over her lips and repeated firmly, "Not tonight, Sarah."

"Don’t leave."

He took a deep breath and replied, "Ok. I’ll be on the couch if you need me."

"You don’t have to stay on the couch," she said as she wrapped her arms around him tighter.

"Yes, Sarah. I do," he said as he tenderly touched her cheek. He knew that was one of the most difficult things he ever had to do, but he knew it was the right thing.

Mac woke to the smell of coffee. She rolled over and groaned, "Oh, God, my head." She managed to pull herself out of bed; surprised she was still dressed. She managed to remove her wrinkled clothes and was just pulling on a robe when the Admiral walked in. She jumped, "Oh my God. I thought it was a dream. I, um, I." She didn’t know what to say.

"Don’t worry, Mac."

"This is so embarrassing."

"Like I said, don’t worry. Still have a headache?" She nodded. "Here take these." He handed her more aspirin and water.

She took them but wouldn’t meet his eyes. Instead she looked at the bed and seeing how the covers were all over the place, she suddenly blushed. Noticing her glance towards the bed, he said casually, "You know, your couch is surprisingly comfortable."

"You slept on the couch?" He nodded.

"All I seem to remember is you carrying me up to the door. After that…" she just shrugged.

"It’s okay. You better get ready to go pick up Rabb. I’ll drive you. Your car is still at the Roberts."

"I can’t believe I got drunk. You would think I would have realized it."

"Not necessarily. The alcohol taste wasn’t that strong."

"Well at least it was by mistake not on purpose." She started to pull out clothes to wear. "Thank you, sir.

For driving me home and taking care of me."

"Not a problem. Get dressed. I have some breakfast in the kitchen." He said as he walked out of the bedroom.

She quickly showered and got dressed then went to the kitchen to find a rather healthy breakfast of toast, juice, and eggs. "This came out of my kitchen?" she asked amazed. She started to enjoy the large breakfast before her.

"What, you don’t even know what is in your own kitchen?"

"Harm cooks over here every now and then. He must have brought this stuff." She didn’t see his flicker of confusion that crossed his face. "You’re not a bad cook, sir. The eggs are kind of spicy though."

"Sorry, family recipe. I’m used to just cooking for myself."

"No. They’re good, just unexpected." They both ate the rest of the meal in silence, neither really knowing what to say about the previous night.

"Well, we better get going. I’m sure the nurses want to kick Rabb out as soon as possible."

"Let’s go."

They got to the hospital in time to see the nurses practically throw Harm out of the hospital. Once they got him settled into the passenger seat of AJ’s Expedition, Mac jumped in the back.

AJ started the car then made sure Harm was comfortable before he pulled out of the parking lot. "You missed a great party last night Rabb."

Mac then proceeded to tell Harm all about the party last night. The last thing she mentioned was her getting drunk and that the Admiral took care of her.

"Brave man. She can be a mean drunk," he said smiling back at Mac.

"She wasn’t mean," AJ said as he made eye contact with her in the mirror. Mac looked away not sure why she was confused. They drove the rest of they way in silence. Knowing that he was going to be laid up in bed for the next few days, Harm asked if they could stop at a couple of places first. AJ stopped and went to the grocery store for Harm while Mac went to the video store next door. By the time they finally got Harm back to his place it was the middle of the afternoon. They sat around and talked about some cases at work. Every time Mac suggested that they leave so Harm could get rest, he protested.

"Hey! You can't leave yet. I only brought so much work home. And I can't watch movies all day, not by my self Besides, I can barely get around the apartment without help. And! My leg is killing me

Mac and AJ both snorted. "I understand why the nurses kicked you out." They looked at each other and laughed.

"Gee, thanks," Harm pouted. Mac thought she heard him mumble, "I thought you guys were my friends."

Mac relented, "Fine. If it’s okay with you sir, we’ll stay and watch one movie then I really need to go get my car."

"Ok. What did you rent? Did you get me ‘Top Gun?’" Harm asked hopefully.

AJ just shook his head. Mac reached into the bag and started to pull out movies while reading the titles, "Anna and the King. Pretty Woman and the Glimmer Man. I hear the bad guy is pretty good looking."

Harm stared at her in horror. "You’re kidding, right?"

"No. I got those for me. I got you ‘Top Gun’, ‘Navy Seals’ and ‘Wings of Gold.’"

"Oh, God. Not that movie," mumbled AJ.

Harm looked thoughtful for a moment, "That sounds familiar. Put it on."

After a short time they realized that this was the movie that was filmed at JAG Headquarters. At the very beginning, Harm started to pick out inconsistencies. "I wonder who they got to be advisors for this thing. It’s terrible," commented Harm.

To which AJ replied, "Don’t even start." About that time the actress, Tina came on screen.

"I’ve seen her before. What else has she been in?" asked Harm.

"I don’t know," said Mac.

"I know I’ve seen her before though." Harm paused a moment to consider, "She kind of looks like you, Mac."

AJ turned his head to look at Mac. He never thought about the resemblance before. His thoughts were interrupted by Harm's exclamation. "Oh, I remember now!" Seeing AJ’s glare he realized that it might be bad form to mention exactly where he had seen Tina. He recovered quickly, "Oh, no. That was someone else. Oh well." Mac missed AJ almost imperceptible nod at Harm.

After the movie Harm tried to get Mac and AJ to stay longer. Mac made sure that he had something to eat while AJ helped Harm get settled into bed. Mac came into Harm’s bedroom just in time to hear, "Sir, do you think you can convince Mac to stay a bit longer?"

"Harm, I really need to go get my car," Mac sighed.

"Come on Admiral, make her stay," whined Harm.

"Not tonight." At first Mac looked confused by the Admiral's response, then suddenly she gasped and left the room quickly.

"What’s up with her?" asked Harm.

AJ shrugged and said, "I’ll go find out." But he knew exactly what was wrong and that she had remembered what happened the previous night. He walked out in time to see her hurriedly pulling on her coat. "Sarah." She spun around and stared at him. The pained look in her eyes bore through him. Without breaking eye contact he called out, "Rabb, I’m going to run Mac home. You going to be okay?"

"Sure. Anything wrong?"

She mumbled "headache," which AJ repeated.

In silence they drove to her apartment, not even speaking until they opened the door and removed their jackets. "I’m so sorry, sir." she whispered. "I-" she looked up at him and couldn’t continue.

"There’s nothing to be sorry about, Sarah." He stepped closer to her.

"But I…" she lowered her eyes.

"Sarah, let me ask you something?"

"What’s that, sir?" she asked nervously.

"Do you still wonder?" She just looked at him and before she could say anything he continued, "Because I’ve wondered how it would be to kiss you for a long time." He cupped her cheek with his hand. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment before he slowly leaned towards her. She met his kiss halfway. It was a short kiss, but it left them both breathless.

They looked into each other’s eyes and Mac said, "You do kiss great, sir."

"Call me AJ, Sarah," he said as he lowered his head again, this time putting his arms around her lightly.

"Ok, AJ." She wrapped her arms around his neck and happily met his kiss.

The End

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