Celia's Notes:  (insert catchy author's notes here.)  Seriously, thanks to
Nicole for everything, personally and "professionally". Thanks to everyone
who's encouraged us with this series; there's a reason we called it
Unexpected, and a reason we keep it going.

Nicole's Notes:  As usual, Celia, I had a great time.  I loved how well AJ
and Keely just seemed to flow together.  Never fear, loyal readers, you
haven't seen the last of the Horny Duo.  They seem to keep popping up
whenever we think they're finished.

This will make much more sense if you've read Celia's "Keely" series, found
at:
https://www.angelfire.com/ma2/BehavioralScience/cstat/keely.html

and the rest of the Unexpected Series, found at:
https://www.angelfire.com/ma2/BehavioralScience/cstat/unexpected.html

Basically, Keely is a twentysomething bartender in Georgetown, who has seen
the ups and downs in Mac and Harm's new relationship (post-Boomerang), and
she's finally met her match with AJ, whom she met in "The Secret That I Keep"
and with whom she's had a relationship since "Why Try One More Time."
**********************
Keely looked out over the sound, skimming her toes back and forth over the
water.  She set her pad and pen beside her on the pier, watching the ships
begin to return, and the way the sky turned orange and purple as the sun
began to set.  She ran a hand through her hair, then let it rest against her
stomach with a smile.  She looked down at her papers, watching them flutter
in the breeze.

She missed him with an unparalleled ferocity, one that she'd never felt for
anyone before.  She'd even awoken in the middle of the night, her arm
reaching out for him, the subtlest inkling that he wasn't there waking her
out of a dead sleep.

Keely sighed, looking out over the water again.  Only when she heard the
phone did she spring up from the pier, shaking the excess water off her feet
and run into her kitchen, grabbing the portable.  "Hello?"

"Hi."  AJ's deep voice carried over the miles, his loneliness and ache for
her coming across clearly.  "I miss you."

Keely shut the screen door and hopped up on the counter, swinging her legs, a
smile creeping across her face.  "Well, hi there.  I miss you, too.  You
should hear what I just spent an hour writing.  Martie's going to sign me up
for Prozac."

AJ laughed softly.  It was good to hear her voice after what seemed like so
long.  "That's okay, it'll match my Zoloft.  I've been going crazy since you
left," he teased.  "What did you write?"

Keely sighed, crossing over to her fridge to get some iced tea.  "Started
chapter two of the follow-up.  Martie and Sam hated the first version,
saying, and I quote, 'Just because you might be infinitely happy doesn't mean
your characters are.'"

"They're right," AJ commented, leaning back against the throw pillows.  "We
may have inspired them, but Allison and Daniel aren't our twins.  Let me hear
what you have so far?" he suggested.

Keely sighed, walking back over to her legal pad, leaning over it, elbows
teetering on her countertop.  She read her opening paragraph, noticing how
her voice quieted as she said the words intended for him.  After she
finished, she paused, then said, "It's better than it was, but I think it's
still missing something...I just can't figure out what."

"It sounds okay to me," AJ replied softly.  "Read me a little more."

Keely sighed.  "She sat down at her kitchen table, watching the clock as the
second hand passed laboriously.  She berated herself for acting so childish,
for acting like she couldn't live without him.  But, her romantic side
pointed out, she couldn't.  She'd admitted weakness, pushed aside her pride
and held out her hand to him, crossing the distances that had developed over
time.  Allison allowed a small smile as she remembered the relief flooding
through her when he took her hand, holding on to her as she did to him."
Keely paused, taking a sip of her iced tea.  "How stupid she must have been,
to believe it would be easy for them to pick up where they had left off.
Their hearts might have been intact, but fate, apparently, was not."  Keely
paused again, letting it sink in.  "Too clichéd?"

Chewing thoughtfully on his Monte Cristo, AJ swallowed before answering.
"It's good, but it sounds....well, it sounds like you didn't write from your
gut.  It sounds like the first draft of the first chapter, when you were
trying too hard to get it done for Martie and Sam.  You lost your voice,
Keely," he reprimanded softly.  "Stop forcing it and it'll come."

Keely chuckled, sitting down on her own couch, patting the cushion next to
her for her dog.  "Well, my gut instinct was to marry them off and have 2.5
kids, but that didn't work either.  I don't know, I guess...I don't know,"
she repeated, petting the dog's soft fur.  "Anyway, how are things down your
end?"

"Why don't you do what Martie suggested last time?  Go somewhere you feel
safe, and brainstorm."  AJ finished the last bite of his sandwich and
formulated an answer to Keely's question.  "Not bad.  I'm arguing in court
tomorrow," he said excitedly.

"Oh, really?" Keely asked, his excitement triggering something in her.
Despite their best efforts at their situation, she still felt like she was
missing something, a large part of their relationship.  *So do something
about it, Keely Shannon.*  A little devil whispered in her ear.  "Which
case?"

"You know I can't name names," AJ shook his head with a smile.  "But she's
accused of adultery.  They're only preliminary hearings, but if I make my
case, it won't ever get to a full court-martial."

"Well, I'm sure you'll kick major ass," Keely replied.  Okay, it was 5:30 her
time, 8:30 his time, she could get to the airport in an hour, arrive five
hours later...yeah, she could do it.  She smiled at the thought, easing up
off her couch and dashing upstairs, pulling clothes out of her closet.

He wouldn't know what hit him.  That was the best part.

"What time's the trial?  So I'll know to be home when you call with your
victory news," she continued, grinning to herself.

"Oh eight hundred," AJ replied, reaching for his soda and taking a sip.
"I'll probably call around thirteen hundred, my time.  Will you be there, or
at the office?"

Shit.  Eight am was going to be cutting it close.  Keely rushed into the
bathroom, throwing her toiletries into her bag.  "I dunno...oh, crap, I have
a meeting with my other departmental professors from nine my time till
noonish.  But go ahead and leave me a voice mail message at the college and
I'll check it before I leave to go back to the publishing office, okay?"

"Okay," AJ said, admitting to himself that he was a little disappointed.
"I'll try you again around eleven, your time," he added, this time
remembering to convert to "people-time" as Keely laughingly called it.
"Okay?"

Keely sat on the edge of her bed, barely holding her laughter in check.
Finally, she cleared her throat and managed, "Yeah.  You'll be terrific."
She paused for dramatic effect.  "I wish I could be there to see it."

"Me, too," he said quietly.  "Keely, are you all right?" AJ pressed.  "You
sound distracted."

"Yeah, I'm fine, AJ. Just...it's insane around here.  I, uh, I got asked to
do a series of literary readings at UW, and I'm freaking out...you know how I
don't like reading in front of people."

"You'll be fine," AJ hurried to assure Keely.  "Just relax and concentrate on
the story, not on the audience.  And picture me in my underwear," he laughed.

Keely laughed at that.  "So, you want me to get all hot and bothered in front
of creative writing students?  That's encouraging."

AJ chuckled, offering, "Well, it might make your speech more interesting.
Listen, it's getting late here..."  He sighed softly.  "I hate to go, but I
have to get some sleep for court tomorrow."

"Hmm, you want me to help you relax? They say you can reach out and touch
someone over these phone lines..." she trailed off, looking at her clock.
"AJ!  It's 8:30 your time...what, do you have a girl coming over or
something?" she teased, rising from her bed and retrieving her date book,
searching for the publishing house's travel agent.

"I had some...last minute debriefing to do," AJ replied, a little too
quickly.  "And--and I have to take a shower tonight," he stammered.

"Oh, really?"  Keely drew the final word out, enjoying this banter.  "Do you
remember the last time you visited, AJ?  And what happened in *my* shower?"
Her voice dropped again, edging a breathy whisper.

"Vividly," AJ breathed, dropping his plastic sandwich container in the
garbage.  He tossed his cup in the sink on the way to the bedroom.  Quickly,
he doused the light and sank onto the comforter, listening to Keely's soft
voice in his ear.

"Good.  You know I still can't go in there without thinking of
us...reflecting in the mirror..." her voice trailed off, and Keely had to
bite her lip from laughing.  "Well, AJ, you go get your sleep.  I'll talk to
you tomorrow."

"Dammit, Keely," AJ growled, disappointed beyond belief.  "You're a tease."

"That's why you love me, old man."

AJ crawled off the bed, untucking the flat sheet and comforter and ducking
back in underneath.  "No.  I love you for many, many reasons, but that's not
one of them."

Keely unconsciously covered her hand with her heart, then smiled broadly as
she zipped her suitcase quietly.  "You'll be great tomorrow, old man.  I love
you."

"I love you, too," AJ said quietly, reaching over to flick the lamp off.
"I'd kiss you if I could reach."

"I know," Keely said simply.  *If I have my way, you won't have to reach all
that far.*  "Good night."

"Night."  AJ hung up, sighed and rolled over, hugging a pillow tightly.  It
just wasn't the same.  Soon, he'd drifted off into a fitful slumber.

Keely listened to the dial tone, then hung up herself.  After half a
millisecond, she picked up the phone again, calling her publishing house.
"Travel, please."  She paused, carrying her suitcase downstairs.  "Hi, Ada,
it's Keely O'Reilly...great, thanks, how are you?...Glad to hear it.  Listen,
can you get me on a flight to DC tonight?  It's rather urgent."  Keely smiled
at Ada's response.  "Absolutely, I can be there in forty minutes.  You rule,
Ada.  Goodbye."

Keely yawned broadly as she pulled her rental car into the visitor's spot at
JAG headquarters.  Her flight had arrived at three that morning, and she was
thankful the Airport Marriott was only a ten minute drive from Dulles.  She'd
slept for four hours, risen, and found herself sitting outside the large
brick building, the mere sight of it tingling her as her morning Starbucks
had been unable to do.  She got out of the car and walked to the information
desk, asking for a visitor's pass and directions to the courtroom.

"Who are you visiting, ma'am?" the desk clerk asked politely.  "I'll need to
call and verify."

Thinking quickly, Keely replied, "Colonel Sarah Mackenzie.  She works in JAG
Ops."

"One moment."  Picking up the phone, the clerk dialed JAG's main extension.
"Colonel Mackenzie, please."  She paused.  "Colonel Mackenzie, I have a..."
she checked the sign-in sheet, "..a Keely O'Reilly here, she says she's your
guest."  Another pause.

Keely started to get a little nervous.  She hoped the Colonel wouldn't ruin
her plan unwittingly.

"Yes, ma'am.  Thank you, Colonel."  The clerk hung up, smiling at Keely as
she handed over the visitor's pass.  "She said to tell you that he's in
Courtroom 3B, and "thank you for making all their lives easier"."  The clerk
laughed.  "What's that all about?"

Keely just shook her head with an enigmatic grin.  She pressed the button for
the elevator, tapping her foot impatiently as it descended, taking the time
to run a hand through her hair and checking her lipstick.  A five-minute
eternity later, she stood outside the courtroom doors, with millions of
butterflies in her stomach.  Finally, she pulled open the door and snuck in,
seating herself against the back wall of the room.

"Your Honor, the defense respectfully requests that all charges be dropped.
The specification of adultery is ludicrous, since we can prove that neither
party was legally married at the time of the affair that was reported by
Lieutenant Galviston's commanding officer.  And the second specification, of
insubordination to a superior officer, was precipitated by verbal abuse and
blackmail on his part."

Keely watched him, attempting to subdue her large, shit-eating grin.  It'd
been two months since they'd seen each other, since he'd left after insisting
on accompanying her back to Seattle after her uncle's death.  He still
continued to express interest in retiring and moving out west with her, and
she was all for it...but she also liked the pace.  The Navy had requested a
little more time out of him, and after long discussions and debates, he'd
acquiesced.  Sure, she missed him like crazy, but she couldn't wait to reap
the benefits.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the arousal more obvious, she
thought to herself.  She watched with a tantalized eye, taking in his lean
body in his uniform, only imagining how his lips were working as he spoke
eloquently to the judge.  She cleared her throat quietly, readjusting her
position on the bench, lacing her fingers so tightly that her knuckles turned
white.  *Keely Shannon, get a grip!*  She rolled her eyes as her libido
replied with a rather nasty comment, and
demanded both parties shut up.

"Counselor, your passion is obvious," the judge finished, "but I'll need to
see more of this evidence before I can even consider dismissing the charges
against your client."

AJ nodded once, gesturing towards his client.  "Then the defense calls
Lieutenant Marian Galviston to the stand."  The slight young woman took the
stand quickly, staring at her hands until AJ spoke again.  "Lieutenant
Galviston," he began gently, "please tell us in short, about your marriage."

"Fourteen years ago, I married Devon Tanner.  We were both just eighteen, and
the honeymoon was over practically before it began.  I met someone else six
months later...Jay."  She smiled at someone in the front row, her eyes
shining.  "I filed for divorce the same month we met.  Jay and I eventually
grew apart and separated.  A few months ago, we ran into each other at the
PX.  Turns out his brother was in the boot camp class before mine."
Lieutenant Galviston was calm, encouraged by AJ's steady presence.  "Anyway,
we started seeing each other again.  He was just finishing up a messy divorce
of his own, and he needed a friend.  We were engaged about three months ago,
which is when my C.O. reported the affair.  Sir, there was nothing illicit
about it.  Yes, it's true that we had an affair, years ago, but we're both
divorced now, we've done nothing wrong this time."

"Thank you," AJ said quietly.  "Your Honor, I'd like to offer into evidence a
sworn statement from the judge who presided over the Tanners' divorce
proceedings as Defense Exhibit A.  The date on the certificate is November 8,
1987."

"Thank you, Admiral," the judge said, taking the paper from the Bailiff.  "I
have one question for the witness, myself.  Lieutenant, why would your C.O.
report an affair that occurred thirteen years ago, long before you enlisted?
Did he have reason to suspect that you were seeing this gentleman recently,
while he was still married?"

"No, your honor," the Lieutenant replied firmly.  "I was very careful that
Jay and I wouldn't do anything to break regs.  I know about adultery and how
the Navy frowns on it, and I love my career.  I wouldn't jeopardize that,
even for him.  And he wouldn't let me," she added quickly.  "As far as my
C.O. goes, I honestly don't know.  Maybe he was upset that I was going
Reserves for a year, to concentrate on Jay and me?  Maybe...maybe he was
jealous.  That's all I can think of."

"Thank you, Lieutenant.  Court is dismissed until oh nine hundred tomorrow,
when I'll render my decision on whether to proceed to court-martial."

The courtroom rose, and Keely stood as well, craning her neck to see him.
The butterflies were fluttering in double time now, and she realized she had
no idea what to say to him.  Sure, she wanted to throw him to the floor and
take him right there, but somehow, she figured he might get in a little
trouble over that.  So she simply stood against the wall, watching him fill
his briefcase with papers and confer with his client.

Patting Lieutenant Galviston on the back, AJ spoke softly to her.  "Don't
worry, Lieutenant, this will all be over soon.  Go home and try to relax."

"Thank you, Admiral," the woman whispered, a tear in her eye.  "I know if
anyone can fix this for me, you can.  I'll see you tomorrow."  She left the
courtroom, her arm around her sweetheart's waist.

AJ turned, briefcase in hand.  His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of dark
red hair, and he turned, blinking once to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

Keely smiled broadly, laughing lightly.  She moved into the courtroom aisle,
sticking her hands in her trenchcoat pockets.  She took a few tentative steps
towards him, looking at the ground, then lifting her head to look at his
handsome face.  "I was wondering, Admiral sir, if you could point me to a
good breakfast place.  Seems none are open after a three AM arrival."

The courtroom was nearly empty now, and AJ figured out that she wasn't a
mirage.  Dropping his briefcase, AJ's face broke into a grin.  Throwing his
arms around Keely's waist, he lifted her off the ground slightly, nuzzling
her neck.  "I've missed you," he whispered, searching for her mouth.

Keely laughed, dipping her head and kissing him for all she was worth, her
mouth opening and teasing his tongue with her own.  Finally, she smiled
against his mouth.  "Speaking of insubordination, you'd better put me down
before they tie you to the flagpole," she murmured, kissing him lightly
again.

"Admiral's Privilege," he invoked, kissing her thoroughly.  "I haven't seen
you in two months, you just got here, and you're already ordering me around?
You're insane," he chuckled, his breath tickling her mouth.

"Only about you," she chuckled back, cupping his face.  "Good surprise?"  She
leaned back slightly, praying he wouldn't drop her, drinking in the sight of
him.  Dreams and fantasies sure didn't do him justice.

Lowering Keely to the ground carefully, AJ stroked her arms gently.  His
voice echoed in the empty courtroom.  "The best," he murmured, unable to tear
his eyes away from her.  "How long can you stay?"

"Open-ended return.  My classes are cancelled, and in the case of an
emergency, there's an amazing invention called a cell phone."  She rose on
her toes, kissing him again, resting her forehead against his chin.

Kissing the top of Keely's head, AJ couldn't get the smile to leave his
face--and he wouldn't even have tried.  "Are you really hungry?" he asked.
"We can get something to eat...or go straight back to my place," he teased,
his arms holding her tight against him.

Keely chuckled.  "No, I stopped at Starbucks on the way here and had a
danish, I'm fine.  Now, the latter option, that has a lot of potential."  She
wrapped her arms around him, running a hand up and down his back.  "Unless
you have something important to do here...I don't want my arrival to start a
nuclear war or something."

Retrieving his briefcase and leading Keely towards the exit, AJ laughed, his
whole body tingling at her touch.  "I've got a bomb shelter in the backyard,"
he said flippantly.  "We're good to go."

Keely chuckled, brushing her hand against his as he held the door open for
her.  "Somehow I doubt you'd be able to just leave, AJ.  It's nine in the
morning."  They strode easily to the elevators, where Keely crossed her arms
and regarded him lovingly.  "Although, I never did get my tour of your office
when I lived in DC."

"Well, why don't I give you the nickel tour?" AJ suggested.  "And you're
right," he added with more than a hint of regret, "I do have some paperwork
to finish up before I can duck out."

The elevator arrived and Keely smiled at his reaction as she entered the
small space.  "I'd like to take you---er, your tour," she teased, leaning
against the back wall.

Shaking his head, AJ chuckled softly.  "Be careful, little girl.  You're
asking for trouble."  They stepped off the elevator into the bustle of JAG
Ops, and AJ slid his arm through Keely's, guiding her safely around scurrying
Marines and sailors.  He debated the idea of yelling "Admiral on deck!" and
introducing Keely, but decided better of it.  "Where do you want to start?"
he asked her.

Keely glanced around the large office, honestly interested.  Finally, she
turned back to him and shook her head.  "I have no idea.  You're the Admiral
in this relationship."

Laughing, AJ nodded and led her around the small operations center.  "That's
Mackenzie's office," he pointed it out, "and there's Rabb's.  This isn't as
exciting as one might think," he quipped.

"AJ, it's better than the monotony of my life, believe me," Keely replied,
leaning around him to see the offices.  She'd have to call the English
department director and complain that the Navy's offices were larger than her
own.

"You want to see monotony?" AJ challenged.  "Take a look at the stack of
budget analysis reports I have to complete by Friday."  He laughed softly,
enjoying just having Keely nearby.  "Anyway, you've seen my office," he said
as he held the door for her.  "But I have a little paperwork to finish up.
Have a seat."

Keely nodded her thanks and stepped inside the office, looking with interest
at the pictures adorning his walls.  She watched him with equal interest as
he sat at his desk, putting on his reading glasses.  Part of her had wondered
during the five-hour flight just what she was doing, and what had possessed
her to fly across the country in the dead of night just to see him.  She sat
in one of the leather chairs across from him, crossing her legs, realizing
that just the mere sight of him made it all worthwhile.

Glancing up, AJ caught Keely's gaze before she could turn it away.  "What?"
he asked, lowering his glasses and staring at her over the rim.

Keely shrugged, raising an eyebrow.  "What what?"

"Why are you looking at me?" AJ asked, slipping his glasses off and laying
them on the desk.

Keely chuckled again, enjoying the ability to tease him in person, rather
than over the phone.  "I'm not allowed to look at you?"

"Not with that look in your eyes," AJ said firmly.

Keely smiled broadly, stretching against the back of the chair, arching her
back.  Her smile widened as she watched AJ watch her, then motioned to his
computer.  "Do you need to use that, or can I check my email?"

AJ scooted his big leather chair out of the way, motioning to the computer.
"Go right ahead," he smiled.  "I'll work over here."  He reached for his
glasses and pen, scribbling notes on some files.

Keely rose from the chair, murmuring her thanks.  She crossed behind to
behind his desk, leaning over to wake his computer up from energy saver mode.
 She took off her suit jacket, gingerly draping it back over to the chair in
which she had been sitting, then leaned over again, realizing she was giving
AJ quite a view.

Not that she minded, and she was sure he didn't either.

She logged into her email server and sighed loudly.  She looked at him,
asking softly, "Can I use your phone?"

Tearing his eyes away from the report he was pretending to concentrate on, AJ
nodded.  "Go right ahead.  Press nine for an outside line."

"Thanks."  Keely picked up the phone and dialed her office number, retrieving
her voice mail.  She punched in a few more digits and paused, waiting for her
superior's message to finish.  "Hi Annie, it's Keely.  It's about 6:30 your
time, 9:30 here in DC.  I just received an email from Katie Kendall
requesting another extension...this needs to stop.  I'm aware of her needs,
but this is bordering on ridiculous now.  She's at least three weeks behind
in writing assignments and is a general disruption.  Can you call my cell and
leave a message?  I'll keep checking until I hear from you.  Thanks, Anne."
Keely hung up, shaking her head and filing the message.

Smiling to himself, AJ let out a soft chuckle and made another note on the
last file in his stack.

Keely looked at him, raising her eyebrows again.  "And just what, may I ask,
do you find so amusing?"

"You.  You're all...grown-up," he finished with another chuckle.

Keely continued to look, quite confused at him.  "AJ, I *am* twenty-eight,
soon to be twenty-nine.  I think that constitutes a 'grown-up'."  She leaned
against his desk, turning to her right to face him, crossing her arms and
ankles.  "Why is this so shocking to you?"

"I don't know," he admitted, leaning back with a huge grin.  "I guess I'm
just surprised at how mature you've become."  AJ's arm darted out and wrapped
around Keely's waist, pulling her off the desk and in between his legs.

Keely braced her arms on his chair, smiling down at him.  "Now, Admiral,
don't start anything you don't plan on finishing," she warned, glancing back
behind her at his office door.

Growling softly, AJ slid his hands up Keely's arms, capturing her face and
drawing it down to his.  Kissing her leisurely, he murmured against her lips,
"Oh, I most definitely plan on finishing this."

Keely traced the outline of his mouth with her tongue, then opened it to him,
curling her hands around his neck.  Finally, she pulled away, but with a
smile on her face.  "I can't believe I'm about to say this, AJ, but not
here."

Leaning back and crossing his arms, AJ laughed, a deep laugh that came from
his core.  "You? Shy?" he teased.  "I can't believe it.  Stop the presses, I
think hell just froze over."

Keely's mouth dropped open, and she too leaned back, matching his posture.
"I never said anything about being shy.  I just don't want you to get fired
over me.  Quitting, yes.  Firing, no."

"Keely, darlin', I'm the boss around here.  And they can't fire me, I'm in
the Navy.  They'd just court-martial me."  He pulled her close again, kissing
her neck.  "Let's go home."

Keely laughed, holding his head to her.  "Is that an order?"

"Get out of my office," he growled playfully, grabbing his briefcase.

Still laughing, Keely gathered up her suit jacket and purse.  "Sir, yes,
sir."

Keely kept her head down as they made their way through the JAG offices.  She
realized, with genuine surprise, how much this meant to each of them---for
her to fly across the country on a whim and for him to leave his
responsibilities simply to be with one another...

As they reached their cars, Keely watched his lean figure and unconsciously
licked her lips.  *Keep thinking like that and you won't make it to McLean,
Keely Shannon.*  She raised her head and grinned unabashedly at AJ.

She strode up to him as he leaned against the passenger side of his car,
settling herself between his thighs, but not pressing against him as she
would have liked to.  There were such things as public decency laws.

She looked up at him, the morning sun blinding her somewhat, but not dulling
her suddenly teasing demeanor.  "So, Admiral, I hope you're not going to
waste this hooky day.  I have a feeling your staff would be very, very
disappointed in you if you weren't productive." "Productive?"  He played
along.  "Well, I don't feel much like being productive.  I'd actually hoped
to spend all day lying in bed."  AJ ran his hands slowly along Keely's arms.

"Well, now, who says that's not productive?" Keely teased, moving half an
inch closer to him.  "I think that's a great option for a well-deserved day
off."

AJ grinned, grabbing Keely's hips and pulling them tight against his.  "Then
by all means, kid, enlighten me to your way of thinking."

Keely grinned.  "Well, first of all, you don't get much exercise sitting
behind a desk all day.  You need blood flow. Secondly, you need stimulation.
You sit up there, day after day, doing the same old thing.  That's not
healthy.  Third..." Keely thought quickly.  "You need interaction with
people, outside of work.  Luckily for you, Admiral, I am highly trained in
all these areas, and would be more than happy to show you how they can
benefit you."

"Oh, really?" AJ replied wittily.  "Well," he said, trailing his hand over
Keely's hip and caressing her backside, "let's go."

Keely ground herself once against him, then pulled away.  "Should I follow
you?  I have a rental..." she motioned to the adjacent parking lot, allowing
a self-indulgent grin cross her features as her face was turned away from AJ.
 

"Only if you can keep up."  AJ released her abruptly, sliding into his sedan
and revving the engine.

Keely burst out laughing, jogging over to the Visitor's Parking and jumping
in her rented Toyota.  She managed a smile to the on-duty guard and followed
his sedan out onto 1-66.  Her heart rate tripled as they entered McLean, and
her anticipation grew.  As they drove through the streets of the town, Keely
let her mind wander to their previous months together.  She pulled alongside
the curb in front of his house, barely throwing the car into park before
jumping out.  She walked briskly to his side, simply looking at him, knowing
he'd know just what she wanted--and needed.

Glancing around the deserted neighborhood, AJ's hand darted out and grabbed
Keely's waist, pulling her hard against him.

Keely, of course, went willingly, snaking her hand between them and cupping
him through his uniform pants.  "Were you thinking of me all the way over
here, Admiral?" she asked coyly.

"Uh huh," AJ growled flirtingly.  He bent his head and trailed kisses across
the hollow of her throat.

Keely smiled, chuckling softly at his---and her own---insistence.  She
disengaged his mouth from her neck and raised her eyes to his.  She tugged on
his hand, pulling him towards the house.

Following her mutely, AJ unlocked the door, slipping in behind her.

Keely reached around him, shutting and locking the door securely behind him.
She resumed her earlier perch, resting herself happily between his legs, this
time rising and lowering her body accordingly against his.  She wrapped her
arms around his waist, her eyes never wavering.

With a low groan, AJ reached his arms around Keely's back, pulling her close
and feeling himself harden as she pressed into him.

Keely smiled, finally leaning up and capturing his mouth with her own.  Her
tongue traced his lower lip, tugging slightly, and then prodding his mouth
open.  As her tongue darted in and out, her hips took on the same motion,
pressing harder so that Keely felt her own arousal building, scraping along
the inside of her panties.  Somehow, Keely was able to shrug her trenchcoat
off and her hands delved towards AJ's waist, removing his shirt from his
pants, blindly undoing his buttons.

Groaning softly with impatience, AJ kicked his pants to the side.  His hands
claimed Keely's body as his, reaffirming his territory.  Sliding over her
hips, his fingers caught the waist of her panties, dragging them down and
freeing her to his touch.  "I missed you," AJ murmured, his tongue busy
against her throat.  His fingers caressed her folds, darting in occasionally.

Keely kicked her own dress pants off where they had pooled at her ankles,
whipping her sweater over her head.  She moved her hips, circling his hand.
She pushed AJ's uniform shirt off his shoulders and bent her head, her tongue
trailing along his sculpted chest, swirling his bellybutton, teasing him
mercilessly. Finally, she raised her head, a self-satisfied smile crossing
her face.  She straightened, rubbing the satin of her bra against his chest,
and whispered in his ear.  "So welcome me back."

"Aye aye," AJ laughed, guiding her towards the couch.  Pushing Keely towards
it, he sank to his knees, grinning up at her.

Keely met his smile, slowly hooking her thumbs around the waistband of her
panties, and drawing them down over her legs, depositing them somewhere over
her shoulder.  She crooked a finger at AJ, her reserved lack of boldness of
earlier disappearing as quickly as their clothing had.

His hands slid over her thighs in delicious torture, inching closer toward
the sweet well.  Pushing Keely's knees apart, AJ bent his head and slid his
tongue once over her, tasting her familiar sweetness.

Keely groaned, her hands clenching alongside her, making divots in AJ's
couch.  She encouraged his movements, arching her hips against his fervent
mouth, muttering in tandem with his tongue.  "Mmm, AJ..." she began, then
stopped herself, flashing back for reasons unbeknownst to her, to three
months earlier, and their conversation on this very couch regarding her book.
 He'd spoken her post-orgasm words back to her, and now, she broke into
hysterical laughter as she remembered.  She opened her eyes, which quickly
filled with laughing tears, and covered her mouth in a desperate attempt to
shut up.

AJ glanced up.  "Did I do something to amuse you?" he asked, arching one
brow.

Keely just kept laughing, shaking her head.  "I--I'm sorry," she managed in
between giggles.

Sitting back on his heels, AJ shook his head, amused.

Keely kept her hand clasped over her mouth, her shoulders shaking.  *It's not
*that* funny, Keely,* she reprimanded herself, but kept laughing anyway.  It
was just so freeing, so Keely just kept on giggling.

Straightening to his full height, AJ towered above Keely, his arms crossed
over his broad chest.  "What's so funny?" he demanded gruffly.

Keely composed herself somewhat, biting her bottom lip.  "Nothing," she
managed, her green eyes twinkling.

"Nothing?" AJ repeated, leaning over and bringing his hands to lean on the
couch on either side of her.  "Tell me," he pressed.

Keely cocked her head, her eyes playful.  "Maybe I don't want to tell you,"
she teased.

"Maybe you're going to tell me, anyway, young lady."  AJ was hovering over
Keely, trying to look threatening.

"Oh, yeah?"  Keely said, her grin widening.  "Make me," she challenged.

AJ shook his head.  "Did you just challenge me, child?" he growled.

"Only if you accept, old man."  Keely shook her head.  "But you won't.  I
know you."  She saw the determination in his face, and knew she was in
trouble.

"I won't?"  With one swift move, AJ covered Keely's body with his own,
kissing her soundly.  "I suggest you watch your mouth," he murmured
threateningly.

"Or you could just watch it for me," Keely replied, trailing her hands up and
down his hips.

Lowering his mouth once more, AJ traced his tongue along Keely's lips.
Parting them gently, he found her tongue and played with it.  In the same
moment, he lowered his hand to her thigh, splaying his fingers across the
soft skin and trailing it upward.

Keely moaned, pulling him closer and running her hands up and down his broad
back, moving her legs a few inches to encourage his hand.

Finding Keely's familiar wetness, AJ slowly trailed a finger between her
lips.  As it slid easily in, he felt the blood rush from his head.

"Mmmm," Keely murmured in reply, and then, embarrassingly, she began to
giggle again.  She looked helplessly at AJ.  "I don't know what's wrong with
me."

Parting her legs with his knee, AJ settled himself between Keely's legs.  His
mouth fell to her breasts, covering her nipples with tiny kisses.  "You're
insane," he murmured, his warm breath tickling her.

"Absolutely."  Keely leaned over and kissed the top of his head, kissing down
the side of his neck, suckling.  "And you're making me more so."

A soft moan escaped AJ's lips and he leaned forward.  He felt Keely's soft
skin brushing his tip, and it sent shivers through him.  "You're a tease," he
accused with a grin.

"Am not," Keely protested, readjusting her head and resting her forehead
against his, their breaths mixing as they had so many times before, arousing
her further.

AJ's hand continued to caress Keely.  "You," he slid one finger into her,
"are," he pulled it out slowly, "too."  He pressed the palm of his hand
against Keely, feeling her clit, warm and throbbing, under his hand.

Keely stiffened, her head falling against the back of his couch.
"Nuh...uh..." she breathed.  "You're more...oh," she took a deep breath.
"You're more of a tease than I'll ever be."

"I don't tease, I deliver," AJ reminded her, drawing his hand away.  "But it
does depend on you."

Keely raised her head, arching her eyebrows.  "Oh, really?" she asked,
slipping her hand between them and cupping AJ, rubbing her hand along his
top.  "How does it depend on me?"

Closing his eyes momentarily, AJ felt the rush of blood where Keely's hand
touched him.  When he opened them again, he grinned weakly at her.  "Never
mind."

Keely smiled, rubbing her hand up and down his erection, squeezing lightly.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Admiral, not a very convincing case."

"We're not in court," he replied, his breathing shallow.  "But if you wanna
get kinky..."

"Well, I did fantasize about throwing you up against the judge's bench and
having my way with you," Keely replied, placing her other hand on his hip and
guiding him closer towards her center.

Feeling her warmth so close to his hardness, AJ took a shuddering breath.  It
seemed like so long since they'd been together like this.  Bracing himself on
the couch with his hands, AJ slid forward, his tip sinking into Keely.
"Maybe next time, we can try that," he breathed into her ear.

This time, as she groaned, the laughter stayed away--for the most part.  She
chuckled and nodded at his comment, then tugged insistently at his hips,
silently pleading and urging him closer.

Shifting his hips, AJ thrust slowly against Keely, feeling her surrounding
him as he entered her.  His hands clutched the back of the couch and his
mouth found the spot behind Keely's ear that made her lose control.

Keely dug her nails into his back, lifting her hips to meet his thrusts.  For
once, she kept her eyes open, watching his intense face as he pounded into
her, drops of sweat trailing down his face and dropping onto her chest.  She
turned her head in a desperate attempt to capture his mouth, her tongue
teasing the edge of his mouth before thrusting inside.

His mouth melding with hers, AJ grunted as they moved together.  Buried deep
inside Keely, his thoughts were all of pleasure--his and hers.  "God," he
whispered, thrusting his hips to meet hers, "you feel so good."

"I missed this so much," Keely said hoarsely, wrapping her legs around his
waist.

"I missed *you*," AJ groaned, sinking deeper within her warmth.  He strained
to wait for her, but he could feel himself getting close.

Keely placed her hands on his hips again, pulling him further into her.  "Let
go, AJ.  For me."

Grinding into her, AJ shook his head firmly.  "Not until you're ready," he
said, thrusting rhythmically.

Keely shook her head in tandem, but moved her hand to her clit, rubbing in
tight circles.  She pumped her legs and arched her hips, trying to envelop
all of him.  She groaned loudly, her head dropping back against his couch
again, speeding up her hand and urging him forward at an increased pace as
well.

Thrusting faster, AJ struggled to keep from coming.  His tongue sought out
Keely's weak spot, trying to break down the last semblance of a barrier
between them.  He wanted her to let go, too.

Keely felt her center start to contract and she grabbed his head, kissing him
with the little energy she had left.  "Oh, AJ..." she groaned, clenching
around him, lacing her fingers with his as she rode her orgasm.

"Keely," he moaned in response, as he felt the throbbing intensify.  He
opened up and spilled into her, groaning at the release.

She held him close as he emptied into her, resting her head on his shoulder.
After he stopped shaking above her, she ran a hand over his forehead and down
his cheek.  "I'm so glad I skipped my classes today," she said softly,
searching his eyes lovingly.

"This sure beats work," AJ agreed, kissing Keely's cheek and sinking onto the
couch.

Keely smiled, then looked down between them.  "We have completely defiled
your couch," she proclaimed.

"No, we christened it," AJ corrected her.

"Well, you're going to need a throw pillow to cover up that stain," Keely
replied, turning her head to look at him.  He may have been approaching
sixty, maybe even sixty-five (she never had been able to get his age out of
him), but he was a beautiful man, physically and emotionally.  It had taken
her a long time to get through the latter part of him, but she was certainly
glad she had.

Laughing, AJ stood, tugging on Keely's hand.  "Febreeze," he said simply.

Keely laughed with him, rising and following him into the bedroom.
"Although, it could serve as a conversation starter. 'AJ, what's that big
stain on your couch?'  'Well, Mr. Secretary...'"
**********************
Keely smiled slightly at the gate agent, then stepped out of line, crossing
over to where AJ held her carry-on.  She held up her ticket, sighing.  "All
set."

"Good," AJ said, the flowered bag looking out of place against his lithe
frame.  "We have a few minutes before they call you.  What do you want to do?"

Keely shrugged, taking her backpack from him.  "Doesn't matter to me," she
replied, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.  Truth was, she wanted
to head back to McLean, away from the thought of leaving him again.

"Let's go browse the duty-free shops," AJ suggested, pointing down the long
corridor.

Keely offered what she hoped was a halfway decent smile and nodded, following
him half a step behind.  Just as she had done when she arrived at JAG, she
attempted to memorize every inch of him.  As they headed into one of Dulles'
overpriced shops, she shook her head.  *Damn, Keel, is whipped spelled with a
capital W?*

Turning, AJ stopped and waited for Keely to catch up.  "Whatcha thinking?" he
asked softly as they wandered through the store.

Keely smiled shyly again, and sighed.  "About how I hate leaving again," she
offered honestly, looking at some glass figurines.  "I mean, I miss you all
the time, but it's so heightened after I see you and spend time with you...it
feels like someone's ripping my heart out."

"Me, too," AJ muttered, hands stuffed in his pockets.  "I don't know what to
do, Keely.  We have separate lives right now, and neither of us is ready to
give ours up."

Keely nodded, moving to some T-shirts, running her fingers along the tiny hem
of a "My 1st Washington, DC shirt".  "I know, AJ," she finally replied.  "I
want nothing more than for you to move out to Seattle, or for me even to come
back here if need be.   But I know we don't want to rush things, for lack of
a better term, and I understand that."  She turned, readjusting her bag.
"But it doesn't make it stop hurting," she finished softly, playing with a
National Zoo panda bear.

"I know that," AJ said, wrapping his arms around Keely and burying his nose
in her hair.  "I just wish I could make it stop hurting for you."

Keely hugged him back, then separated herself from his embrace.  She couldn't
break down, either in the middle of Dulles, or in front of him.  She held up
the bear and said, "You think Sadie would enjoy decapitating this one?"

Nodding with a small smile, AJ reached out and covered Keely's hand with his
own.  "Yeah," he said softly.  "It looks like a nice head for her to chew
off."  He took the small bear and walked over to the counter, paying for it.
He brought the little plastic bag back to Keely, brushing her hand as he
passed it over.  "You hungry?"

Keely shook her head.  "I can't wait to savor the airline food, can't spoil
my appetite."  They left the store, her boot heels clicking against the
linoleum floor.  "You want to just go to the gate and just stay there for a
few?"

"Sure."  AJ walked next to her, lost in thought.  *I can get a week's leave
next month,* he thought idly, *and Rabb can handle the office---ugh, no.
Make that Mackenzie.  If I leave Rabb in charge for a week, I'll come back to
find he's sold the office furniture to pay bail for a client or something.*

Keely said nothing, lost in her own thoughts.  His words reverberated in her
mind:  "I wish I could make it stop hurting for you."  For you.  Not just "I
wish I could make it stop hurting".  Keely found herself wondering, not for
the first time, if she was honest with herself, if he was truly willing to do
what he had suggested months ago and move to Seattle.  It wasn't fair to
expect him to, she noted, but AJ Chegwidden was a man of few words, so when
he proposed something like that, she understood there was something to it.

They arrived at the gate and Keely plopped herself in the deep,
semi-comfortable chairs.  She sighed, looking out the window at her plane,
then back at AJ, torn at which one truly represented her future.

Staring out the window, AJ glanced over at Keely and caught her eye.  "I'm
going to miss you," he said, finally sinking down into the chair next to her.
 "I was thinking of coming to Seattle in about a month.  Would that be okay?"

Keely couldn't help but smile, amazed that he knew when she was in her
doubting mode, and at his attempts to make it better.  Finally, she nodded.
"I'd love that."

"Great," AJ said, rubbing her hand with his thumb.  "I'll arrange it this
week and I'll call you with the information." Bringing her hand up to his
mouth, AJ kissed the palm gently.

Keely smiled slowly, the simple gesture meaning so much to her.  She closed
her eyes in defeat as the gate agent welcomed those passengers on United's
flight to Seattle.  Opening her eyes, Keely placed a hand on his face,
rubbing her own thumb against his smooth cheek.  "Thanks for a great week,
AJ."

AJ smiled genuinely, remembering the moment he'd turned and seen Keely
standing there, in the courtroom.  "Thanks for the surprise," he whispered.
"You're a great present."  He stood, waiting to hug her goodbye.

Keely rose as well, this time wrapping her own arms around him.  "I'll call
you when I get home," she said, her words muffled by his sweater.

"I'll be waiting for it," he replied, his own voice barely audible around the
lump in his throat.  "And I'll see you next month."

Keely smiled, backing away from him as her row number was called.  "I'll be
waiting for it," she echoed.  She picked up her bag and started towards the
gate, turning slightly, back towards AJ, placing her hand over her heart.

Mirroring her action, AJ patted his heart and waved to her slightly.  "I love
you," he mouthed.

Keely nodded, mouthing back, "Me, too," before being forced down the jetway
by the other travelers.  She settled herself in her first-class seat, sighing
loudly.

AJ stood at the window, watching Keely's plane.  It was a little like deja
vu, except this time, his heart was breaking for the right reasons.
**********************
Keely nodded to her assistant, who changed the Power Point slide.  As she
began to speak about tone, she couldn't help but look out over the mass of
students taking copious notes on her speech.  In the harried month since her
return from DC, she had been offered a full-time teaching position at the
University of Washington.  That schedule, along with the deadline for the
first draft of her second book, left little time for anything else.  Her
contact with AJ had been diminished, given her schedule and his, which had
become more demanding with the deluge of important trials coming JAG's way.
As she finished her slide, a smile crept on to her face as she counted down
the days until his visit.  To say she was excited was an understatement; she
knew it was going to be a welcome reunion and much needed vacation.

Keely checked her watch and smiled at her class.  "We'll finish our
discussion about tone of voice on Thursday.  Have a great day everyone."  The
auditorium began to empty and Keely gathered up her index cards, smiling at
her lead TA.  As Miranda began to ask a question, Keely straightened, feeling
a sharp pain in her abdomen.  She pressed her belly once, and didn't realize
what was happening as she fell to the floor.

THE END
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