:: Halloween ::
In life he had been a useless ne’er do well intent on seeking his own pleasures at all costs. He had used women and cheated men at cards and when he lay dying between two long rows of raised tombs in New Orleans he hadn’t minded a bit. He had minded that he had been returned here, to the house he grew up in. For years he had raged, causing things to fly through the air, moaning and screaming at the most inopportune times until he had driven away every owner. Until she came. The moment he saw her he knew she was his destiny and his salvation. For nearly 60 years he had watched over her, protected her, protected the man she loved above all things and last year he had made himself known to her and she had welcomed his company. After tonight his reason for haunting this place would be removed. He wondered briefly what would come next for him. :: :: ::
"Damn it Josh, don’t make me drive up there alone." The White House Press Secretary glared at the Deputy White House Chief of Staff. "Sorry CJ, I’ve got to get this done. They need the figures, and I can’t make it. Besides, I don’t know why we have to be there." Josh lied glibly. "Gee, you think because we work for Bartlet and he’s going to be there." CJ Cregg waved the stiff invitation in front of him. She really didn’t want to drive all the way up to Mrs. Compton’s mansion set high in the Maryland foothills. "Please Josh." "Sorry, I would if I could." Josh carefully pretended to study the paperwork before him. "I’m going to remember this, Josh." He walked her down the hall and helped her into the driver’s seat of the Range Rover. "Drive careful and don’t forget to turn north, or you’ll end up in Disney World." "It would be more fun." CJ sighed. "I can’t believe I have to do this." She wondered if it was worth it. The election was in six days and it seemed everyone was everywhere giving last minute speeches. She wasn’t sure who Cecelia Compton was, but if the President needed to be there, then she would get there. :: :: ::
"Damn you, Samantha, hurry up." "Please don’t talk to me like that, Harry." "Listen, bitch, I’ll talk to you however I want. You’re my wife and if you don’t like it you can get the hell out." He tossed back the rest of his drink. "Now hurry up. I want to meet the bastard before he looses next week. That’ll teach him and his faggot staffers to ignore me when I come to DC. It’s not like I wanted to sleep in the damn Lincoln Bedroom or anything, just a little respect!" Not for the first time in the year since she married him, Samantha Abernathy twished she could garner the courage to leave her very rich, very crude husband. She hadn’t wanted to marry him. She had never loved him. But he had kept at her and she knew she was too ugly to ever find a man who really loved her. Though maybe, if Charlie Bishop’s offer was genuine, she could make a life for herself – without Harry or Harry’s money. :: :: ::
Clay pulled his car under the huge covered overhang and stepped out of his Mercedes. The wind was so strong that the freezing rain reached him as he pulled out his suitcase and suit bag. Running to the open doorway he greeted the butler, "Hello, Jenkins! How’s my godmother?" "Just fine, Mr. Webb. Mrs. Compton will be so happy you came. Your room is ready for you." Webb, his suit trousers clinging to his legs, climbed the staircase and went to the room he had slept in every time he had visited since he was a boy. However, as much as he adored his godmother, he couldn’t believe his mother had made him come tonight. "Clayton, it may be her last big political party. I wanted to go." Porter Webb then sneezed into her handkerchief and coughed. "No don’t come any closer you’ll just get it too." And so, here he was, the first day back from his trip, longing to see Sarah and instead he drove three hours through what seemed like a hurricane to get to an eleventh hour pre-election party for Josiah Bartlet. He couldn’t figure out why though. As far as he could tell, Bartlet was sure to win most of the northeast. :: :: ::
"Sir, there it is." Mac pointed to the sign up ahead. "Got it. Thanks, Mac." "No problem, sir." "I hate these things." "Understood, sir." Mac sighed. Webb was back from his trip, but here she was stuck in the middle of a thunderstorm in the middle of nowhere Maryland. "Why are we here?" "The new SecNav wanted it, Mac. Admiral Joseph Compton was a hero of the Second World War and he went on to be JAG for a while before moving all the way up to the JC. Mrs. Compton is a huge contributor to the Bartlet campaign and asked that the current JAG come and say a few words in memory of her husband." "Why didn’t she ask for Fitzwallace, sir?" Rabb asked from the back seat. "He’s head of the Joint Chiefs and if Bartlet is going to be there…" Rabb finally realized what he was saying and quickly shut up. AJ ignored the implied insult. "I have no idea. Damn the rain is coming down hard." He made his way slowly up the driveway. He hadn’t wanted to come and didn’t like the fact that he had to drag two of his best up here with him. But the SecNav’s e-mail had been explicit. ‘I want you there with me. Bring Rabb and MacKenzie too. They will look good together.’’ Of course that wasn’t the real reason he hadn’t wanted to come. He had carefully avoided CJ for nearly nine months. And after convincing most of his staff that he didn’t need help in the fix up department, he had gone back to seeking his sexual release in brief encounters until that morning when Lucille, damn her, had insisted that he meet her latest success story. His face grew hot as he remembered the look of shock and shame on Sarah MacKenzie’s face as she and Webb – of all people – stood in the open doorway staring at him as he sipped his orange juice. The fact that he had been wearing sleep shorts and an OPEN robe hadn’t helped. Not that anything would have helped. It was after that when he had decided to give Meredith Cavanaugh the attention she deserved – or had thought she had deserved at the time. ‘Jesus, she nearly killed Rabb that day.’ "Wow." Rabb breathed, as lightning streaking across the sky illuminated the huge Victorian mansion. "I bet any money there’s a ghost." AJ handed the keys to the valet and helped Rabb carry in the suitcases they would need for the overnight trip. A butler wearing a very worried look met them at the door. "Good evening." After hearing their names he nodded. "Very good. Ellen, show the Colonel to her room. Ma’am, gentlemen, before all the cancellations began I would have needed to have you share rooms. Oh not you Admiral, but Colonel you were scheduled to share a room with Miss Bartlett. But now that Mr. Seaborn called and said the President would be staying in Vermont until the storm passed over, you will have your room all to yourself." "None of them are coming?" AJ demanded. "What about the Secretary of the Navy?" The man looked away for a moment and AJ thought for sure the man was going to tell a lie about something. "Well I understand that Miss Cregg had already left the White House and they have been unable to reach her by cell phone. Mrs. Compton apologizes. She requests that you still join her for dinner. Cocktails will be served in the music room in two hours." "Hey. What about me?" Rabb demanded. "Oh you were scheduled to share a room with Porter Webb’s son. Mr. Webb arrived an hour ago. Sharing is no longer necessary, so... Colonel MacKenzie, are you all right?" "What?" Sarah shook her head. She had been shocked to hear that Clayton was here but that’s not what made her gasp. "Oh. Yes. I’m fine." "Oh man. That’s all we need, an evening with Webb. Thank God I don’t have to share a room with him." Rabb groused as he picked up his suitcase. "Come on Jarhead, it’s just for one night." Mac absentmindedly nodded and stooped to pick up her case only to find the Admiral had it in hand. "What’s wrong, Mac? You didn’t know he was going to be here?" AJ asked softly. "Hmmm? Oh no sir. Don’t worry. Harm doesn’t know, there won’t be any trouble tonight." "Mac, I’m not worried about that." AJ grumbled as they climbed the staircase next to the thin metal rail that indicated someone in the house needed a chairlift to make it to the upper floors of the house. "You look like you just saw the ghost Rabb was hoping to see." She paused and met his gaze. "I think I did sir." :: :: ::
AJ had just finished dressing when the electricity went out yet again, which was fine with him. The light from the fireplace was more than enough illumination into the dark thoughts consuming him tonight. "Maybe they reached her and she’ll turn around and go back to DC." He walked over to the dresser to glance in the mirror and started to straighten the tie to his dress mess, the only suit he had brought, when a shadow of movement made him whip around. "What the…" There was no one there, only a cold chill. "Must be a draft drawn by the fireplace. Mac did NOT see a ghost because they DON’T exist!" He made sure the glass screen was secure before leaving the room. He glanced both ways down the hallway before getting his bearings. He started toward the stairs but paused to sniff the air. "Damn it." He whispered softly, as the scent of White Diamonds assailed his senses. "She made it." :: :: ::
The red dress clung in all the right places and Mac knew she would drive Clay wild tonight. He loved this dress. She shivered. "It’s cold up here." There was a small fireplace, but she had told the maid who had come around earlier not to bother. She peered through the dim candlelight and wondered if the glass doors were open. As she walked across the room, the chill seemed to leave. She checked the closure anyway, bending over to see it better. It was pretty damn tight. She saw his reflection in the glass and slowly turned around. "Who the hell are you?" She really didn’t feel any fear and when he didn’t answer, she walked closer. "Hey Mac!" The apparition disappeared as soon as the pounding started. "Shake a leg, Jarhead." "Just a minute." She called and walked over to the very spot where the…ghost?…had been and sure enough it was much colder here. "Get in here, you two." The door opened and Rabb and Webb walked in. "Hey, how did you know it was both of us?" Rabb demanded. Mac answered almost absentmindedly, "Oh I figured you two would find each other. Come here for a second." But by the time they were near her, even she knew they wouldn’t feel anything. The spot had returned to normal. "What’s up?" Rabb asked. She didn’t want to explain, knowing he would give her the third degree or worse, scoff at her ‘vision.’ Instead she straightened his tie. "Can’t have you looking like a slob, Flyboy." He just grinned. Webb however, looked at her oddly. She would tell him later. He might pooh-pooh the idea – but then again, maybe not. Clayton Webb was a constant source of amazement to her. Whether it was a quiet evening at Porter Webb’s beautiful home, both of them sharing stories of their essentially lonely youths or wonderfully intense encounters exploring the boundaries of their sexual pleasure, Clay was turning out to be best thing that had ever happened to her. She knew it pained him that she didn’t want to announce they were together, refusing to even have lunch with him on the off chance that Rabb would somehow discover their fledging relationship. Even though they had that one night last Christmas, she considered their real start to be July 4th and that meant they had only been ‘dating’ less than four months. She hoped Clay knew she wasn’t ashamed of him. She just didn’t want the hassle with Harm. She gave Webb a smile that Rabb, of course, knew was really for him. "Your arm ma’am." Mac saw Webb tense. She defused the situation by taking both their arms. "Lead the way, D'Artagnan." Rabb didn’t even notice the way Webb’s eyes smoldered as he gazed at the red dress caressing Mac’s skin. But Mac noticed and she made sure that as Harm led them down the staircase she hung back just enough to rub against Webb. "Keep that up Colonel and I will have to discipline you later," he whispered softly in her ear. "What did you say?" Rabb turned to stare up at them. "I said I would sing a song for you later." "Me?" "Yeah right, Rabb." Rabb smiled back at his partner. He really like the way things were progressing between them. She hadn’t been clingy or possessive of him for a long time now and it was easy between them. He wondered if he should take it to the next step. But. But. Something clouded his mind for a moment and he had to shake his head to clear it. "You okay, Harm?" Mac’s voice was full of concern. He had been her best friend for such a long time that she knew when something was bothering him. "Yeah, I’m fine, Mac." He looked around the old gothic mansion. "Man this place is too much." Before he could continue though, they heard pounding at the door just as they reached the main hallway. The butler hurried to admit a beautifully dressed couple. The man, tall, broad shouldered and very angry looking pushed past Jenkins. "Jesus, what a storm!" "Mr. Abernathy, I’m surprised you came. Everyone else has cancelled." Jenkins’ look was one of pure disgust but the belligerent man didn’t notice it. He took them all into his glare and demanded. "Well they didn’t, did they!" "Harry, please." Rabb turned to study the woman. She was cute; her nose was a tiny button between two lush cheeks. Her lips were a little too big for her face but still he found them to be almost erotic. But her eyes! Large and round they seemed to pull the light to them. He knew that when she laughed they would sparkle. Only now she wasn’t laughing. Upon closer consideration, Harmon Rabb wondered if she ever laughed. "Oh shut up. We made this damn drive for nothing. Bartlet isn’t going to be here?" Abernathy’s face was turning a bright red. "No sir." Jenkins, after a quick glance at Mrs. Abernathy sighed. "Mrs. Compton is going to serve dinner. Cocktails are in the music room." "Least she can do. I don’t know how we are going to get back down that hill." "Well then, I suppose you will need to spend the night." The soft voice was barely audible above the whir of the motor. Everyone turned to watch as a very old woman rode down the staircase. Her head was held high and Clayton Webb who had known Admiral and Mrs. Compton for all of his 38 years quickly went to the foot of the staircase to offer her his arm. "Thank you, Clayton. I was very sorry to hear about your mother. I hope she is feeling better soon." "Thank you, Cecilia. It’s just a cold." "But horrid, nonetheless." Her voice dropped even lower so that only Webb could hear. "I do believe she got the better end of the deal though. At least she isn’t going to be subjected to Harry Abernathy." "Then why did you invite them?" Webb whispered back. She picked up a cane that had been resting against the banister, but still he kept her arm firmly nested to his side. "I feel sorry for his wife. She’s a dear. I can’t imagine why she married the bastard." She stopped in front of Mrs. Abernathy, ignoring her husband for a moment. "Samantha, how nice that you braved the elements to come and see me." She barely turned her head. "Mr. Abernathy." Turning her attention to Jenkins she said, "The Green Room for the Abernathys, I think." "Very good ma’am." :: :: ::
"I’m so glad you made it tonight, Admiral Chegwidden. My Joseph would have been 100 today, had he not died last year this very day. You are the very personification of him, you know." AJ glanced at the picture over the fireplace. Joseph Compton was a barrel-chested swarthy looking pirate of a sailor, even in his dress whites. His bushy black eyebrows arched so high they almost kissed the low bush of his steel gray hair shot through with a few stubborn strands of black. The picture might very well have been painted 40 years ago, but AJ remembered meeting the man at his ninetieth birthday party and even then Compton still had a full head of hair. Cecilia giggled again. "Oh you’re no match for my Joseph in the looks department, Admiral Chegwidden, but you have his bearing. Please." She took his elbow. "Come into the music room. We’ll have drinks there." Chegwidden walked slowly across the foyer taking deep breathes, assuring himself that he could do this. Cecilia smiled softly. She knew that Clayton would be aghast at her plan. She had very little to occupy herself with these days and after Porter had filled her in on Sarah MacKenzie and how much she meant to her son, Cecilia had spent many an hour on the phone and many a lively luncheon finding out everything she could about her godson’s lover. She was quite pleased with what she learned and she and Porter agreed that they would make a lovely couple. Perhaps Porter just might become a grandmother after all. After talking with several people she considered to be friends – friends in high places – she had realized her special touch wasn’t needed with her godson and Sarah MacKenzie. Before coming to that conclusion though she had lunched with Admiral Fitzwallace and she had discovered something else that just might require her attention. There weren’t many people left who remembered her during her heyday but there were still a few of her success stories happily entering their third and forth decades of wedded bliss. She hadn’t played matchmaker in a very long time; tonight would be her swan song. :: :: ::
When it was apparent that none of the musicians she had hired could make it, Webb had agreed play for a little while. There was certainly plenty of sheet music stacked on top of the baby grand. Perhaps Cole Porter and Gershwin would help lighten the tension that seemed to have settled over the small gathering. Abernathy was trying to hold court and not doing a very good job of it. Rabb and Mac were standing listening to the man pontificate on waste in military spending. Mrs. Abernathy looked like she wanted to run away. Rabb looked like he was just waiting to until he could destroy the man with one of his famous closing arguments. Webb just shook his head knowing that with people like Abernathy it would do no good. Webb also wondered when or if Abernathy would notice the way the flyer and his wife kept casting furtive glances at each other. :: :: ::
Sarah, tonic water in hand, only half listened to Harry Abernathy rant about something of which he had no real knowledge. She didn’t like the way he treated his wife either. Samantha Abernathy looked like life had pretty much beaten her down or maybe it was just her husband doing the beating. When the man paused in his tirade to take another drink from what had to be his third scotch, Mac quickly asked, "So, Samantha, what do you do?" Mrs. Abernathy looked at her husband and for a moment Mac thought she was going to shrug and keep silent but she quietly said, "I write." "Oh yeah!?" Rabb followed his partner’s lead. "What? Where? Can I read it?" "Balls. She’s lousy. I won’t even let her send any of it in." Abernathy sputtered. "Tripe. Murder mysteries! Can you believe it?" Mac studied the woman before her and softly replied, "Oh I can believe it. I think you should send something in." She was rewarded with a bright blush creeping up Samantha’s cheeks and an angry snort from her husband. Turning a very angry glare upon the stockbroker Mac realized that Abernathy was afraid. Very afraid that the woman next to him just might be a better writer than he was letting on and her writing would be the means of her escape. ‘Very interesting.’ Mac cast a quick glance at her partner and almost groaned out loud. ‘Oh for goodness sake. You can’t be serious,’ she thought as she saw ‘The Look.’ To the best of her knowledge Rabb never even considered going after a married woman, but then, he was always one who wanted to help the underdog. And, in this case, Mac really wanted to help her too. :: :: ::
CJ Cregg tried hard to focus on the painting before her. She had made an effort to greet her fellow guests, all of them except AJ. She had adroitly avoided him and was rather glad he hadn’t sought her out. Of course she was, she insisted to herself with emotion. Damn it! She didn’t want to think about him. As the gentle blues and greens of the Monet before her worked their magic, whispers and memories overtook her. They had been good together; better than good. He had made her laugh and made her cry out in ecstasy. His touch was whatever she needed at the moment and she reveled in the memory of the way she could make the hard-assed former SEAL moan under her touch. Just thinking about him clinched her stomach and she tried to remember what had brought on that last screaming fight, that final slamming of doors. It had to have been something truly stupid or she would remember the details. Afterwards, she waited for his call of apology. But it never came. She had read the reports on the tribunal, caressed his picture on the front page of the Post. For many months she had come close to picking up the phone and calling him. Once she had even suggested that he be invited to the White House for an official state dinner. Margaret told her he had declined, stating pressing Naval business. She didn’t like being the focus of gossip. That was Sam’s and Josh’s forte not hers. Simon Donovan had caused enough whispers for a lifetime. She tried to summon up some emotion over the Secret Service agent’s death but in the end all she felt was an intense sadness for the loss of possibility. :: :: ::
Long ago AJ Chegwidden perfected the ability to listen with one ear and focus on something completely different. "And so you see, Clarence has been with us ever since we bought the house. I always suspected he was there; we had heard rumors before we bought the house. He introduced himself last year right before Joseph died. He really is a dear. Much better than a pet don’t you think, Admiral?" "Yes, ma’am. I’m sure a ghost would be much easier to clean up after." AJ tore his eyes away from CJ’s lithe back trying hard to convince himself he had no interest in tracing the line of the drape that fell across her shoulder blades. He tried to convince himself that his breath no longer hitched at the slightest hint of her smell. "You don’t believe me do you, Admiral Chegwidden." AJ met her gaze. Even at 90 there was lively passion behind the bright gray eyes. "Well ma’am…" "Oh please, I sound so ancient when you call me ma’am. Even though I am, I would appreciate it if you would call me Cecelia." AJ grinned and forced himself to sit next to her on the small love seat. By doing so he could no longer trace CJ’s movements around the room. Taking the old woman’s hands in his he dropped his voice. "Actually, Cecelia, I’ve seen too much in my life to deny the existence of anything that someone else insists they’ve seen. Especially someone as alert and obviously intelligent as yourself." It was a gentle lie, one he could afford. His declaration sparked a blush on her face, and he caught a glimpse of the beauty she had been. The picture over the mantel of the fireplace in this room showed a Cecilia Compton no more than twenty-five. The artist had been good; AJ could see the twinkle of mischief in her eyes. Now the smooth shoulders were probably as spotted with age as the hand in his, but the silk of her dress hid that. The artful collar hid any sag at her neck. The laugh lines were plentiful but AJ found them attractive. Cold women might have fewer wrinkles late in life but Cecilia showed anyone smart enough to see, that she had lived a life full of laughter and not a few sorrows. "Now, if you will help me to my feet, I will go and check on dinner." AJ stood and offered her his arm. After she struggled to stand she sighed. "That’s getting harder. I find I don’t have the incentive anymore to get up. Clarence is fine, but I miss my dear husband." She tapped his arm. "It isn’t right you should be alone, AJ Chegwidden. Go to her and tell her what an ass you were." He gasped and stared down at her, intense anger sparking in his eyes. "Madame, I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about." His glance rested on the man behind the piano. Cecilia laughed softly. "Clayton knew nothing about you being here tonight. Do you think I’m blind? My eyesight is perfectly good you know. And, even at my advanced age I know very well when a man is using me to avoid staring at the object of his desire. Whatever made you leave her?" "What makes you think I left her, Mrs. Compton?" Cecilia was having none of it. "Tell me something, AJ." "Ma’am." "Is she a bitch?" "She can be." "Good. I hate weak women and men always see strong women as bitches so why deny the word. Is she hateful?" AJ thought and shook his head. "No." He whispered. "Does she drink to excess?" "No." A smile quirked his lips. "Does she embarrass you in public?" AJ thought briefly about the last woman he had dated. He couldn’t imagine CJ ever singing in public if she couldn’t carry a tune. He had never met a woman more sure of herself and yet she was aware of the consequences of her actions. It wasn’t to say CJ didn’t push herself; she just went about it in logical ways. "Never." "Does she make you smile?" His answer was a huge grin. "What is the one thing you would change about her?" He thought for a long time and each little thing he came up with quickly died on his lips. "Nothing. I can’t imagine changing anything." His response was barely audible but Cecilia heard him. "Then go and grovel, before it’s too late." :: :: ::
"Clayton?" He was surprised that Mac had left the group. Not that he blamed her, but he thought she would stay to back Rabb up with Abernathy. "Aren’t you afraid he’ll do something rash?" "Which one?" She smiled and settled next to him on the piano bench. "Either. Rabb looks like he wants to hit Abernathy." "He won’t. He knows if he does Abernathy will probably take it out on poor Samantha later." "Yeah, he looks the type. I wonder why she married him. Money?" "No." Mac sighed. She recognized the signs. She had suffered from the same self-doubt herself. Still did sometimes. Her early childhood and the choices she made back then still affected her psyche at times, though not so much these past four months. Clay really had given her something special once they had got past much of the bullshit. She knew her refusal to take that final step bothered him. And after thirty minutes of watching Samantha Abernathy allowing Harry control her actions she realized she was doing the same with Harmon Rabb. Not that Harm was anything like Harry. But still, she was allowing her fear of Harm’s reaction to her relationship with Clay to control part of that relationship. Clay finished the Cole Porter song. He sensed Mac’s mood but didn’t know what do about it. He knew that Samantha was having a profound effect on Mac. One night as they lay in bed together, she had finally opened up about her feelings about her mother and father and how their violent relationship had left her feeling worthless for so many years. He was glad Chris Ragle was dead. He really would have had to track him down and beat the shit out of him for the pain he had inflicted upon her. "Aren’t you afraid Rabb will come to your rescue if you sit here too long?" "You want me to get up?" "God, no." "You promised to sing something for me, Clay." Her words caressed his skin and he prayed he wouldn’t embarrass himself by stuttering. "S-sorry, Mac. There aren’t any words to the songs on these things." "Oh? What about this one?" She pointed to one on the stand in front of him. He glanced at it, expecting to see ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ but he looked again. "Where the hell did that come from? I swear it wasn’t there before." "What is it?" He took a deep breath. He knew this song by Billy Joel. Knew the words fairly well but didn’t think… "Oh hell, a promise is a promise. Just turn the page for me when I get to the end there, okay." She leaned into his shoulder and whispered. "Sure thing, Clay." Her breath
against his ear stirred his cock and he took another cleansing breath before beginning. He
started off very softly. In every heart there is a room He played a few stanzas not singing, letting the melody lull them both. The song really was very appropriate to his relationship with Sarah and he wondered how she felt listening to it. He looked up to find AJ staring as if the words had burned his soul. Webb sang some more of the words. But if my silence made you leave AJ listened to the words of the song Webb was singing. He could tell the song affected Mac, but he knew that Webb was really singing it for him. His silence had driven many a woman away and when he tried to speak he always said the wrong things. He certainly hadn’t said the right things to Marcella to make her stay. His arguments hadn’t kept Laura Delaney from dying in his place. In hindsight he was glad that his speech to Sydney Walden had fallen on deaf ears. He hadn’t said a word to Lucille after that disastrous July morning. Only twice in his life had he ever said just the right words to any woman. Once, nearly five years ago, when he had looked Sarah MacKenzie in the eye and told her she knew what was right and, a month ago, when he told Meredith Cavanaugh he had had his fill of danger in his life and he didn’t see the need to jump out of an airplane just for fun this late in the game. She had told him he was a fuddy-duddy and left. Relief was the only emotion he felt about that. And this is why my eyes are closed AJ made his way around the edge of the room to where she was standing looking at a carving of some kind. "Claudia Jean." At first he didn’t think she would respond. She reminded him of a deer caught in a hunter’s sight, afraid to move but trembling in anticipation. She seemed to find the wisdom of the ages in the statue on the shelf before them. "Hello, AJ." She had promised herself that she would be cold and polite. But his heat, so close to her was too much. "How have you been?" "Lonely." "Oh yeah? I’ve been busy." "I have too, but I still miss you." "Oh yeah? Gee, I didn’t get your messages." She was really trying for witty repartee. ‘Just a few more ‘Oh yeahs’ ought to do the trick.’ "I’m sorry." "Oh…" "Don’t, CJ." He snapped and touched her arm. She turned and one part of her brain registered the fact that no one else in the room was moving. Nothing else existed except the penetrating stare holding her, capturing her soul. She wouldn’t allow this to happen again. "Don’t what? How dare you, AJ Chegwidden. You didn’t call. It was your turn. I was the one who made the effort at Christmas. You couldn’t have sent flowers for Valentines Day? You were that hurt by my accusation that you were just a few steps out of the mainstream thinking on what was going on in Bahrain?" She expected him to shout at her but instead he chuckled. "I believe the word you used was Neanderthal." "I did?" She understood now how the cobra was mesmerized into doing what his master expected. But then she remembered the master held the cobra in the greatest of respect, never asking it to do something unnatural. For a long moment he just stared into her eyes, his fingers seemed to burn a path as they traced up her arm. "I’m sorry I don’t always see eye-to-eye with you, Claudia Jean." He moved a little closer, crowding her back into the recess of two floor-to-ceiling bookcases. They weren’t really hidden but he didn’t care. "Does that have to be a deal breaker with us?" "No." She whispered. Her hand, as if of its own desire smoothed the ribbons above his heart. "Actually, it’s kind of nice to argue." "Making up is better." He leaned closer. "No so fast, Admiral. You were the one who walked out." A sense of pride reasserted itself. She didn’t push him away, in fact if he had straightened she would have grabbed his lapel, but she didn’t let him come closer. "I think you need to court me for a bit. Besides, I don’t think it would be appropriate for us to start making out in front of your staff." AJ eyed her carefully, not moving a breath. He saw the desire in her eye and felt his own need beginning to grow. "Grovel huh?" "Court, AJ. You know, be attentive. Sit at the table and if you don’t actually agree with what I say, at least not make fun of my viewpoint." At that accusation, he straightened. "Madame Press Secretary, never have I made fun of your point of view." "Oh yeah?" He threw back his head and laughed a bit too loud and the spell was broken. Before they had felt isolated, unaware of what was going on around them. Now he could make out the sound of the piano and Webb’s voice. He took her elbow and pulled her out into the room. "Very well, Miss Cregg, might I be allowed to court you?" "We’ll see, Admiral Chegwidden." She smiled and started to walk over to the couple at the piano. Even in her deep funk she knew she didn’t dare approach Harry Abernathy. If AJ insisted that, at least for the time being, National Security needed to take precedence over basic human rights for women in Bahrain and other countries, Harry Abernathy would feel right at home in any number of strict Moslem countries – of course the son of a bitch wouldn’t be able to get a drink. She didn’t get very far; he pulled her back and growled in her ear, "I’ll court you all night long Claudia Jean, but I want you in my bed tonight." He was very pleased by the way the blush started at some point below her neckline and made its way up her neck. :: :: ::
Cecilia Compton stood at the doorway watching her little plan unfold. That nice Admiral had finally come to his senses. And Sarah looked like she was coming to a final decision about Clayton. Cecilia had done everything in her power to help Samantha Abernathy finally find some kind of happiness in her life. "What do you think Clarence?" She whispered and if anyone had noticed her just then they would have seen a handsome rake whispering in the old woman’s ear. :: :: ::
Harmon Rabb found himself mesmerized by Samantha Abernathy’s eyes. He had held his temper longer than he expected. He knew that she would have to take the brunt of her husband’s anger if Rabb said anything. So instead, he tried hard to just change the subject. "I didn’t know Webb could play anything but classical music." "I think he plays very well." Samantha agreed. "I bet he’s a fairy." Abernathy insisted loudly. He stared at his empty glass and looked around the room. "Where the hell is that waiter." "I believe he is helping set up for dinner." Rabb ground out. "So I guess I have to get my own." Abernathy snarled. Before anyone could suggest that perhaps he had had enough, he stalked over to where the bar had been set up. Samantha visibly relaxed and Rabb took the opportunity to ask, "So tell me about your writing." She blushed and hung her head. "Oh really, it’s nothing." "Don’t say that." Rabb said with emotion. "I bet it’s pretty good. Murder mysteries, huh? I really like them. In fact I have a couple of cases that gave me some great ideas for some plots." "Really. I would imagine you would have some very interesting stories to tell. I would love to hear them." Suddenly realizing what she had said she blushed and added, "I better go see that he doesn’t spill the scotch on the floor," and hurried over to her husband. Rabb had been rather surprised to see Webb smirk at Abernathy’s description of his sexual preferences. Not that it mattered one whit to Rabb. He guessed seeing the picture of the blond on the piano in Webb’s apartment had answered that question for him. But now, he turned his attention to his partner and the spy sitting side by side on the piano bench. :: :: ::
So I would choose to be with you Clayton Webb had watched the little scene between Chegwidden and Cregg. It was funny that everyone else the room hadn’t stopped to watch the almost erotic display between the two. He had been singing so he couldn’t even point it out to Mac. Though he could have just played for a while and said something to her. He couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t. The song ended and he needed to decide what to play next. He waited for Mac to move away now that she didn’t need to turn the pages for him. However, if anything, she moved closer. He looked at her in shock as her head came to rest against his shoulder. "Sarah?" "Hmmmmm." "You okay?" "Fine. Why?" Her finger traced circles on his pant leg. "Uhm, Mac? Uhm…Rabb can be pretty clueless but don’t you think that even he will figure out something is going on?" She lifted her head and nailed him with a serious stare. Her lips parted slightly and she leaned even closer, he seemed to have no will of his own as he met her halfway and gently kissed her on the lips. He fully expected her to jerk away. Instead she opened her lips to him, leaving no doubt that this wasn’t a sweet kiss of one friend to another caught up in the moment. If Harmon Rabb were watching then even he would know exactly what was going on between the spy and the colonel. When she pulled back she whispered softly. "Clueless maybe, but Harm isn’t blind. Was that a sufficient declaration of my intentions, Mr. Webb?" "For now, Colonel MacKenzie." He sighed as he felt the cloud of doubt that had rested over his soul lift. "But later…" She smiled sweetly and stood up. "We’ll see." Before he could say anything else a tiny bell rang and they turned to face their hostess. "Dinner is ready in the dining room. Admiral Chegwidden, would you escort me in to dinner." :: :: ::
If cocktails had been tense, dinner was the most strained affair Harmon Rabb could ever remember. The dining table that could have easily sat twenty had the eight of them seated all at one end with Mrs. Compton at the head, AJ next to her and CJ across from him. Mac sat between the Admiral and Webb. He was seated across from Mac, next to CJ with Samantha seated on his left. The fact that Harry was as far away from everyone but his wife hadn’t relieved any of the tension the man seemed wear like a coat, nor had it kept him from snapping out sharp questions to the Admiral who was sitting a full five seats away from the stockbroker. Rabb didn’t pay too much attention though. His thoughts were no longer on Harry Abernathy’s almost blatant insults to the President, the Admiral or the desperately unhappy woman sitting next to him. Rabb couldn’t remember if he had said anything to either CJ or Samantha throughout the entire meal. He certainly couldn’t remember what, if anything, he ate. He was stunned and kept trying to get Mac to meet his eye, but she was doing her part to keep the conversation at the table from turning into a shouting match. ‘What the hell was that?’ His mind tried to make sense of what he had seen. Tried to figure out who had slipped him the hallucinogen that caused him to see Clayton Webb lean over and kiss his partner on the lips right there in front of him and everybody else. And she responded! Only once had she kissed Mic Brumby in public and he had been sure that was to get a reaction out of him. Was that what this was? He had thought she was past that. But she sure as hell looked like she enjoyed the kiss she shared with Webb. WEBB! No way! He would have been less surprised had she kissed Sturgis Turner or Victor Galindez in such a fashion. Webb! Webb? When did that happen? That was no ‘gee great song, Clay,’ kiss. Who kissed the piano player for playing well? What about him? Where did this leave them? He thought she was going to wait. He had always feared that if any man truly claimed her attention she would no longer have the time to be friends with him. ‘If she had been involved with Webb when I went to Russia would she have followed me?’ A voice he didn’t really recognize answered him, ‘Of course she would have.’ That shook him up a little and he tried to focus on what he was eating. He was rather surprised so see a vegetarian plate in front of him. Miss Cregg was saying something and he just looked over at her and tried to appear very interested, though for the life of him he couldn’t make out a word she was saying. Sometime around the cheese course, he began to listen to the tiny voice inside his head. ‘She obviously likes him. Look at the way she’s looking at him. Besides, you really don’t want to ruin your friendship with her. You know she loves you - just not that way anymore. You had your chance and you didn’t want to take it.’ Maybe it was the best thing he had ever done. He knew that no one woman could ever hold his attention for long. Lord knows Renee had given it her best shot. And if he had been with Mac he couldn’t explore these feelings he was experiencing sitting next to Samantha Abernathy. She seemed really nice and she obviously needed to be rescued from her husband. ‘Whoa! Hang on there, hoss. The woman is married.’ He insisted to himself. But, the little voice chuckled evilly, ‘Perhaps not for long.’ Rabb shuddered as he felt a dank cold envelop him. :: :: ::
Mac was beginning to worry about Harm. He sat through dinner and didn’t make one solitary comment. Not one snide remark. He hadn’t attacked Clay. He hadn’t said a word though he kept casting accusatory glances at her. He hadn’t tried to escort her to dinner, allowing Clay the honor, but she knew he had seen the kiss. At the time, it had seemed like the best way to tell him. Sometimes, especially with Harm, actions spoke louder than words. All during dinner, she had tried hard to deflect Abernathy’s more vicious questions away from both Miss Cregg and her CO, knowing Bartlet’s press secretary couldn’t afford to tear into the bastard, and afraid what would happen if AJ started in on him. ‘Good lord, it would be worse than that time he smacked that kid.’ Mac was happy enough when Mrs. Compton announced that coffee would be served in the parlor. Mac wanted a moment to just sit with Clay without competing with his piano music. Of course, it didn’t work out that way. Mrs. Compton had asked her godson to sit with her for a bit. Mrs. Abernathy was trying hard to keep her husband from pouring yet another scotch. AJ and Miss Cregg were watching the rain over by the French doors. She felt him standing behind her as she gazed into the roaring fire. "Hi, Flyboy." "How long, Mac?" "Seriously? Since July." "What do you mean seriously?" She shrugged and ignored the question. "I really like him, Harm." "Hell Mac, I really like him, but you don’t see me kissing him in public." She started to laugh and he did too. "I can’t believe it, Mac." "Are you…" She left the question hang between them and he had the grace to blush remembering how badly he had acted when she dated Brumby and even Lowne. "No, Mac. I won’t do that again. You’re sure? I guess we waited too long, huh?" She started to correct him. He had been the one who wanted to wait. But she didn’t want to rub it in. "Yeah, I guess we did." "You love him, don’t you?" She met his steady appraisal. "Yes, I think I do. No. That’s not true. I do love him." "What about him?" "What about him, Harm?" "Does he love you?" "You’ll have to ask him that. I haven’t. I know we are pretty happy – when we get a chance to get together." She watched her lover, deep in conversation with Cecilia. She stared at them for a moment but the sight of the apparition standing just behind them didn’t bother her. She had no idea who the ghost was, but she could still sense no danger from it. She knew the ghost was watching over the old woman and maybe even Clayton. Harm suddenly growled low in his throat and Mac quickly turned to see what had caused his sudden anger. "Damn you, Samantha. Look what you made me go and do!" Abernathy’s voice cut through the quiet conversations. The front of his shirt was wet and his rock glass was tilted precariously in his hand. "You stupid bitch." Rabb started for him, but it was Chegwidden who reached the man before he could slap his wife. "That’s enough, Abernathy." The drunk tried to pull away from AJ’s grasp. "Let me go, you two-bit fascist. I’ll have your job. I’m an important man in the local party! I’ll have Bartlet fire your ass." "Shut up, Mr. Abernathy." CJ snapped. "I’ll make sure that the President hears all about your little escapade here tonight." "Oh yeah, you whore. You think I don’t know what’s going on. You think I don’t know whose bed…" AJ would have hit him. Hard. Too hard. But Samantha Abernathy’s hand on his wrist stopped him. "Please Admiral. Let him go." She sighed. "Please, it will only make it worse for me later." AJ could see the fear and tears stinging her eyes but there was a look of determination there too. "Ma’am." He let go. "I have no idea why a woman as pretty as you stays with this worthless piece of offal but if you ever need protection against him or advice on how to get rid of him." His glare at Abernathy suggested that the advice might include other avenues than just legal. "I would be honored if you called upon me." Samantha gasped. Not at the suggestion that she leave Harry. Everyone in town at one time or another had suggested that she leave Harry. Only Charlie had given her the means, but this man had said she was pretty. He wanted nothing from her. She could see how he looked at CJ Cregg. She gulped, refusing to meet the gaze of Harmon Rabb. She was glad that his partner was holding him back. "Thank you Admiral. I’ll consider it." "You’ll consider it!" Abernathy roared. "You fucking whore-bitch!" He pushed himself off the chair he had leaned against. It was a very heavy chair and it had seemed very steady when he had rested against it to get his wind back. However, as he pushed away he felt it slide across the thick rug. He lost his balance and fell back. His head hit the heavy oak table resting against the sofa. :: :: ::
"Jesus Christ, the son of a bitch must weigh three hundred pounds." Webb groaned as they finally dropped Harry Abernathy on the bed that Jenkins led them to in the back of the house. "I’m just glad we didn’t have to get him upstairs." Rabb agreed resting against the sill of the door. "You sure he’s okay?" "He’s out cold. But his heartbeat seems okay." They watched the bastard for a moment and then an incredible snore erupted from the man’s lips. "Well I think that’s a good sign." Webb gasped as his breathing finally returned to normal. "You think we can get everyone to agree that he was attacking AJ and get him arrested for assault?" "Oh hell, Webb, you know as well as I do they wouldn’t keep him locked up long enough." Rabb glared down at the disgusting bastard before him. "Think we ought to make him comfortable?" "I’ll take care of it." The two men turned to see Samantha standing in the doorway. Rabb gave Webb a jerk of his head indicating that the spy should go ahead and leave. His look said he would stay with her. Webb nodded to Samantha and walked out into the hallway. "Hey Rabb." "What?" Rabb stepped out of the room but kept his eye on the woman pulling her husband’s shoes off. Webb gripped Rabb’s arm. "Don’t do anything stupid." Rabb finally met his concerned gaze. "Don’t worry, Webb. That wouldn’t solve anything. She’s going to have to make the decision herself." Webb saw what he needed to see in his friend’s eyes and nodded. "You need anything?" "No." Rabb tugged at the knotted tie at his throat. "I’m good. I’ll make sure she goes upstairs and changes. Hopefully, she’ll stay up there. I’ll wake him up in two hours and make sure he doesn’t have a concussion." "You want me to spell you?" "Oh good idea, Webb. That will have Mac really pissed off at me. Which room will you be in?" Webb had the grace to blush. "Are you okay with this?" "You gonna hurt her?" Webb started to toss out a joke but he knew Rabb deserved better. "No, Rabb. I hope that I will never hurt her." "You do and you’ll answer to me." "I know." Webb looked in at Samantha who was just staring down at the miserable excuse of a husband. "Now go make sure that Mrs. Abernathy gets some rest." :: :: ::
"You’re quite sure you’ll be okay, Mrs. Compton?" CJ held the old woman’s hand in hers. The old woman’s hair was barely describable against the white linen covering the pillow. "I can stay if you want me too." "Dear me, no." Cecilia sighed. "I’ll be just fine. My pills helped tremendously. Admiral?" Chegwidden sat on the bed across from CJ and took Cecilia’s free hand in his. "I’m right here." "I’m fine you know. I have Clarence to keep me company. He won’t let anything bad happen to me." Before tonight if anyone had accused him of believing in ghosts he would have called them Fool or Liar. But then before tonight he hadn’t seen a man, dress in clothes at least 100 years out of date, deftly move the heavy, overstuffed chair enough to cause Harry Abernathy to fall. He wasn’t sure that anyone else had seen it. He was sure that he would never speak of it to anyone. Well perhaps he would tell Claudia Jean, but not now. Not tonight. "We know Clarence will keep you company, Darlin’. But if you want, one of us or both of us can sit here with you at least until you fall asleep." "No." Cecilia insisted. She rather suspected she wouldn’t be waking up. She had never been one of those old people who dwelled on their dwindling time. She had found too many things to keep her occupied, at least until this last year. She missed Joseph terribly. They never had any children. She smiled, thinking about the reading of her will. She did so hope Samantha would use the money wisely. She hoped that the young attorney she had chosen as her executor would forgive her the burden she was placing on his shoulders. "You two go on now. I’m very sleepy." She started to close her eyes but then they shot open again. "Ninety years wasn’t enough, don’t waste a single moment in regrets." AJ slowly stood up. Cecilia sighed and her eyes fluttered closed. CJ sat there for a moment until she was satisfied by the gentle rise and fall of the old woman’s chest. Together they walked out of the room and if either saw the ghost hovering near the bed, neither spoke of it. She walked down the hallway just a few steps ahead of him. She wanted him in her bed, but she felt rather funny about it, what with Abernathy lying unconscious downstairs and Cecilia, well she was sure Cecilia would be fine. It had just been a shock that’s all. But still. She sighed when he placed his strong hands on her shoulder. She groaned as his lips found her neck. "You okay?" "Now I am." "Come to bed, Claudia Jean." "Whose bed, Albert Jethro?" "Well I have a rather small full size bed." "Well there you go. I have a very nice canopy bed." She led him to her bedroom and locked the door behind them. "Very nice." He turned to make sure she saw the grin on his face. "I see who has the seniority here." "’Bout time you did, Admiral." She put her hands on his chest and stepped into his embrace. She was only an inch or two shorter than he and she still had her heels on so she just leaned in for a long sweet kiss. AJ wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as he allowed the passion he had buried for so long rise to the surface. No other woman had captured his attention and held it like CJ. Lucille had been a very interesting descent into wonderfully kinky sex but neither of them had ever expected it to last for very long. Meredith, well he had given that his best shot, but in the end he realized he could tell her what he was feeling about everyone, but her. He pulled back and studied the woman before him. "You are one incredible lady, Claudia Jean." She blushed and pulled away from him. "Why do you say that?" She walked over and stooped in front of the fireplace. "It’s going to get cold in here. I’ll start the fire." She listened as he pulled off his jacket. Shoes were toed off and kicked aside. When the bed springs groaned under his weight she finally turned to face him. "Why do you say that, AJ?" As he pulled the studs from his cuffs and then reached down to pull off his socks he continued to consider his answer. "I watched you every day for a very long time. I had my yeoman tell me every time there was going to be a news conference – even long after I thought I would never see you again." He blushed. "I really am a coward about some things, Darlin’. But the way you handled yourself in front of those piranhas day after day is truly amazing. You’ve grown into your job, CJ. You’re better now than you were four years ago. And, you’ll be better still four years from now." He stood to peel off his slacks. Tossing them across one of the chairs he held out his hand to her. "Come here." She shook her head. "No. I hear something else just behind that praise. What aren’t you saying, AJ?" She steeled herself for some criticism; some request that she change something. She was shocked by what followed. "I just don’t think I’ve changed these years I’ve been with JAG. Oh, no pity here. I’ve trained my people well." He snorted, "At least I think I’ve convinced Rabb that it is not a wise thing, career-wise to shoot off a loaded automatic rifle in a crowded courtroom. I think I might be better suited to taking a position at Annapolis. You know there is an opening there for the baseball coach." CJ tried. She really did but the laughter bubbled up and escaped. She took his face in her hands, saw the anger in his eyes and gently chided him. "You, around a bunch of junior league Rabbs? Tell me, Admiral Chegwidden, sir. Which one of us, me or MacKenzie, will be charged with bailing your ass out of the brig the first time you get in one of the midshipmen’s faces for doing something profoundly stupid. Things are changing AJ, and you are changing too, whether you want to admit it or not, but frankly lover, I can’t see you playing nursemaid in the New Navy. Admit it. As much as you say the grind is getting to you – and you were saying that a year ago – you love the stress of your job. You are the bravest man I know, AJ Chegwidden. Who else would have even taken Atif’s case? Jed Bartlet admires you, AJ. From what I hear, Sheffield respects you. You want a change, fine. But don’t you dare bury yourself out at Annapolis." She bent down and claimed his lips for a moment. "Besides, it’s too long a commute." He chucked softly and pulled her closer. "So you think we can make a go of this? This time?" She stepped back and turned around. "Unzip me." He stood and began to slowly open her dress, bestowing kisses down her spine. When he had to sit back on the bed to be able to continue to kiss her he repeated. "Do you?" "Yeah. I think the next four or five break ups will be the true test." She let the dress pool at her feet before turning around again. Carelessly she kicked the dress away to stand between his legs. He buried his lips in the vee of her cleavage, caressing his hands up her stomach. "Oh very nice." She sighed. "AJ, I know we will have a tumultuous relationship, but that’s half the fun – isn’t it?" He pulled her down to lie on the bed next to him. He ran his hand along her cheek, tracing the curve of her ear down her neck until it hovered over her breast. "You bring out the best in me, Claudia Jean. You drive me mad in the process but Lord, woman, I miss you when you’re not there." He deftly opened the clasp on the front of her bra and descended to take a nipple between his teeth. She arched up reveling in the sensations. She was in his arms and she trusted him as she trusted no else with the possible exception of Toby. But she pulled away from him. She had heard rumors he was dating someone else and as much as she didn’t want to consider it she had to. "AJ." "What’s the matter?" He pulled back suspecting what was to come. He kicked himself knowing they should have discussed it before now. "Sam Seaborn saw you at a restaurant about a month or so ago. He said you were with a woman who sang to you – badly." "I’m no longer seeing Professor Cavanaugh." "That’s good. That’s a good thing, AJ. But…" He had been dating too long not to understand the ‘But.’ Fortunately, the answer she was seeking was simple enough. "Two weeks after your Mr. Seaborn saw us, Claudia, I had my annual check up. I’m clean." Tears tracked down her cheeks. "Did you like her a lot, AJ?" That was more difficult. "Look at me, Claudia Jean." She rolled over on her side and met his steady gaze. "There is no one in my life right now but you. There is no one you need fear who will come out of my past to haunt us. Now. Tell me what you want to do?" Instead of answering him, she rose to shimmy out of her sheer underwear, dragging down her pantyhose in the process. Before he could reach for her though, she was on him, like a demon, like a woman who had been denied anything but her own hand these past nine months. Her mouth was everywhere, her hands pulled and tugged and he had no conscious memory of how she pulled the remainder of his clothes off. He scooted back on the bed, found the pillow and let her work her magic. "Lord, woman, I missed you." He sighed as her tongue twirled around his nipples. He arched off the bed and her hand began to pump his cock. "Come here, CJ. I want to be inside you." Instead, she worked her way lower, kissing and nipping until her mouth was poised over his manhood. She blew across the head all the while stroking him. As her mouth descended to engulf him, she kneaded and caressed his balls. Oh yes, she remembered that very un-admiral like growl. She had missed him every bit as much as he professed to have been longing for her and she was determined that this time, nothing would come between them. Even after so long apart she remembered each little signal and when he was very close, she released him and worked her way back up until she was poised over his straining cock. They groaned at the feeling of completion as she slowly lowered herself down until she could feel his balls against her ass. "Oh yeah, I’ve missed this a lot too." She sighed and gazed down into his passion filled eyes. "You just gonna lie there, sailor?" He decided that he needed to regain a little control, so he didn’t thrust up into her immediately. Instead, he began his own languid exploration of her skin. He rubbed his hands over her hips, teased the tight curls on her mound, before dipping a finger between them to tickle her clit. When she arched back, he bent his legs up so her back rested against his thighs. Then he began to seriously map every inch of her body. Her breathing was becoming ragged and she couldn’t help but squirm, which was providing him with very delicious sensations. Finally, when AJ was so close anyway, he pulled her forward and deftly flipped them until she was underneath him. He knew exactly how to move in her so that she received just the right amount of friction. Pounding into her he watched her face until he saw her orgasm approaching. Kneeling between her legs, he pulled her hips high up on his thighs all the while stroking in and out. When he felt her walls begin to spasm he reached down and rubbed her clit hard. Her inarticulate shout triggered his own release and he fought to keep from shouting. Even in the throws of passion he didn’t want the rest of the house to hear him. :: :: ::
Webb walked back down the front hallway. He told Jenkins to go ahead and retire. "There’s nothing more to be done. Commander Rabb and Mrs. Abernathy will make sure he’s comfortable. The Commander and I both appreciate the fact that you gave up your bed so we wouldn’t have to hoist him upstairs. I’m not sure that we could have." "I suppose throwing him out onto the driveway would be a bit cruel?" Jenkins asked. "Probably appropriate, but not tonight, okay?" None of the people here tonight needed that kind of investigation. He watched Jenkins and his wife carry a few clothes and climb the stairs. Thankfully, this old mansion had plenty of rooms, most of them made up in anticipation of the party tonight. "Something’s not right about that." "What’s that, Clay?" She was leaning against the doorframe leading into the library. With the cup of coffee in her hand, she looked just like a vision out of the thirties. The dress was biased cut satin and he knew very few women who could pull it off. "I don’t think I told you how much I liked the dress, Sarah." It almost appeared like she was gliding over to him. She stopped just far enough away that he couldn’t reach out and touch her, pull her to him, crush her against his chest like he had wanted to all night. "What’s not right?" He shook his head then started for the parlor. As he walked by her, he deftly reached around and grabbed her by the waist and pulled her along will him, only he didn’t have to pull at all. He considered pouring himself a shot of bourbon, but instead reached for the coffee pot and filled a cup. He sipped and thought about the entire evening. "Clay!" He released her and walked over to the fireplace to glare up at the man he had seldom seen when his mother would bring him up here for long weekends. The fact that Cecilia was nearly 25 years older than his mother had never struck him as strange. Cecilia Compton was the most alive person he had ever met. He knew Mac was getting a little pissed at him and that he wanted to avoid at all costs. "Doesn’t it seem just a little strange to you that, on virtually the eve of the election, Jed Bartlet would schlep his wife and children down here for a fund raiser?" Mac, who was never that enthralled with the inner workings of politics just shrugged. "Think about it Mac. Why?" "Why would the SecNav order the Admiral to bring Harm and me and then not show up? We made it. You know, now that you mention it, you’re right. It is weird. Do you think it’s a set up? Who? Abernathy?" Webb started to reach for his phone. Suspicion had become second nature to him. He needed to call someone. Get some questions answered. Who? He stared at the phone, trying to remember why he had pulled it out. "Clay?" Her voice was sultry now. The concern on her face was gone, replaced by lust. Lust for him. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that they should, should… He groaned as her hand touched his chest. All thoughts not directly connected with getting Sarah MacKenzie upstairs, into his bed dissolved. "We’ll figure it out tomorrow." Webb pulled her into the kind of kiss he dreamed about all evening, every night he was away from her. His tongue danced with hers, caressing the roof of her mouth. His hands caressed and his lips began to follow the line of her neck. "Clay. Upstairs. Right now." He groaned. He wanted her right now, but he let her hurry him up the stairs pausing only occasionally to demand a kiss. So involved in one another that when they passed by the room near the top of the stairs they didn’t even notice the sounds coming from behind the door. So engrossed with kissing Sarah that Webb never noticed the two specters smiling down at them. After months of exploring every avenue of intense physical pleasure, tonight they seemed content to gently strip the other, touching, kissing exploring as if they had never done this before. Naked, they stared into each other’s eyes. Reverently he touched her cheek, mapping the slope of her jaw with his fingertips. "I love you, Sarah MacKenzie." She gasped at the intensity of his gaze as well as the way his words worked their way into her heart. "Oh, Clay. I love you so much." As their lips joined he lowered her to the bed. Never had their lovemaking been quite so gentle. Their eyes never closed, never strayed as he entered her. Leisurely deep thrusts, gentle caresses brought them to shuddered climaxes mere moments apart. Carefully he rolled them until they lay facing each other, still joined. They were both sound asleep before he fell from her and even then they held each other closer still. :: :: ::
"Oh Shit." Webb groaned and sank to his knees next to the bed. "Damn it." Tears tracked down his face as he took the cold lifeless hand in his. Sarah, her own eyes brimming with tears just stood behind her lover and gently kneaded his shoulder through the cable knit sweater he had hastily thrown on earlier when Ellen Jenkins started pounding on his door. By the time he opened it, AJ was standing across the way, jeans and a sweatshirt on. "Clay, sweetheart. Look at her. She died peacefully, darling." AJ tried to draw a full breath. "I’m really sorry, Webb. She was a good person." "One of the best." Webb whispered softly. He stood up and carefully pulled the light counterpane over his godmother’s face. He realized that Sarah was right. She did look peaceful, almost happy in her death. "We should all be so lucky, I guess. This is going to hit mother hard." "I called her doctor, Mr. Webb." Jenkins firm voice intruded softly. "He said he’d be here with the sheriff for the formalities real soon." "Thank you, Jenkins. I’ll call her lawyer from the den." "Very good, sir." Webb returned to his room, showered and slowly made his way downstairs. Mac was sitting on a chair in the foyer. "Hey." "Hi. I told Jenkins to make sure there was breakfast for everyone; that I would wait here for the Sheriff and her doctor," she said. "No need to sit here in the drafty foyer. Come on, I’ll build a fire in the parlor, make some phone calls. You can wait there." CJ, wearing no makeup and dressed in slacks and a sweater joined them, bringing a carafe and tray with cups on it. "I didn’t want to stay in the dining room." Webb, the phone pressed against his ear, waiting for a secretary to track down Owen Hawkins, raised his eyebrow in question. Before CJ could explain they heard the angry shout. "I said we’re going." They couldn’t hear the response from, they assumed, Mrs. Abernathy but whatever it was, it threw her husband into a violent rage. "You fucking whore! I’ll see you…" Whatever else Abernathy was going to say was abruptly cut off. CJ had left the door open and the three of them could see AJ hustle the sputtering stockbroker through the hallway. Jenkins just beat them to the front door and opened it only to find an officer of the law standing there, his arm raised to knock. He quickly stepped aside and surprisingly made no move to stop the admiral from tossing Abernathy out into the harsh November morning. A man clutching a medical bag rushed up the stairs. :: :: ::
It was dusk before Chegwidden helped CJ on with her coat. "I really appreciate at the company on the drive back, AJ. You’ll be sure to come into the White House and keep me from killing Josh though, won’t you?" AJ kissed her nose. "Oh, I don’t know, Darlin’, I may have to buy the man a gift. After all, if he hadn’t helped Cecilia, we might never have got back together." CJ sighed and nodded. "I know, but you can’t let him know that. It will go to his head and he will be impossible to be around. We still have an election to win." They walked into the parlor where Webb was sitting pretty much in the same place he had sat all day, phone pressed to his ear, exasperation warring with surprise. Mac, feet curled under her on the sofa, coffee cup in hand was keeping vigil with him. Rabb looking like nothing could ever surprise him more than this weekend was fidgeting like a ten-year old. For now, the top gun was stretched out on the chair that had slid out from underneath Abernathy last night. Just as Chegwidden was about to speak with his chief of staff, Webb sighed heavily and closed his cell. "Son of gun. Absolutely diabolical. The woman was 90 for God’s sake!" "What did you find out, Webb?" As Rabb pushed up from his chair he glanced out of the doorway. "Do I need to go get Sa…Mrs. Abernathy?" The other four traded amused glances but it was Webb who answered. "Not now. There is going to be hell to pay and I wouldn’t put it past that bastard husband of hers to contest the will. He can claim alienation of affection." Rabb began to pace. "No. I don’t think so. I just can’t believe it. Sa…Mrs. Abern…" "Rabb! Sam is fine. I’ll call her Sam, Mac will call her Sam, hell, AJ you want…" "That’s enough, Webb." AJ knew Webb was on his last nerve but even though Rabb was being annoying it would do no good for the spy to lose his temper over something so silly. Sarah stood and went to stand next to Webb. Her hand on his shoulder instantly diffused the situation. "I really don’t think that will be the issue, Clay. I was talking to the sheriff and evidently Abernathy’s antics are well known and it seems that half the town has been after Samantha to leave him – including the sheriff. Besides, it’s not like Cecilia left her everything." Webb rubbed his hand over his face. "I had forgotten she had that apartment in Soho. That and the $100,000 should let Sam at least try and get published. I’ve got a friend." "She doesn’t need it, Webb." Rabb sighed. "What?" "We talked last night. I wasn’t going to leave her alone with him in case he woke up. She told me Cecilia had encouraged her to write and encouraged her to try and get her stuff published. She, Sam, never told anyone, not even Cecilia evidently, but she did send a manuscript off and just last week she found out one of the publishing houses wants to work with her on it, offering her $50,000. Pretty good for a first book." He flopped back down on the chair, which didn’t move one inch. "This morning, Abernathy woke up with a nasty headache and a nastier attitude. She tried to placate him, just to get him out of the house without making a scene. But, he started calling her names. He was going to hit her. I could see it in her face it wasn’t the first time either." His head dropped to his chest. "I stopped him. I just stepped between them. That’s when she told him. Told him she wouldn’t go home with him ever again. Told him that even if the book deal fell through, she wanted a divorce." He looked at his CO. "It had nothing to do with me, sir. I know that. I appreciate that you stepped in when you did. I might have killed him." Webb stretched his neck, rubbing his jaw against Mac’s hand. "You gonna be okay with the executorship? Or, do you want me to talk to Hawkins and have someone else named." "I don’t get any of this. She never met me before last night. It’s the most insane thing I’ve ever heard of." He looked at the man he really did consider a friend and asked softly, "Are you okay with it?" "Why not? You’re the most honest man I know, Rabb." He stood but when Sarah’s hand fell from his shoulder he took it in his. "One thing you should know, and maybe it will explain it – or not. I spoke with Mother, told her why I couldn’t come home just yet. I’ll handle all the arrangements, but you’ll need to sign some things too. Oh, when I told her she said the oddest thing to me. ‘I know dear. She came and said good-bye.’" All of them shuddered at that. "Anyway, Mother said she had come up here about three months ago." He squeezed Mac’s hand tight and Mac remembered that it was a little over a month after July 4th that Clay had insisted that she meet Porter Webb. Mac had been surprised and very happy to discover that she liked her lover’s mother – a lot. "She and Cecilia spent a great deal of time discussing my relationship with Sarah. Mother said Cecilia practically glowed and she wanted to know everything about her. Well Mother told Cecilia where Sarah worked and about you and AJ." Webb blushed. "Cecilia was quite the matchmaker in her day." Everyone turned to look at CJ who had started to laugh uncontrollably. "Darlin’? What’s the matter?" CJ tried to wave the question away. "Nothing. Just something Sam said Leo yelled at Josh." "CJ!" AJ demanded. "Oh, okay." She took a deep gulp of air to calm herself. "Well, when Josh finally admitted his part in the whole ruse – evidently Mrs. Compton really is a huge supporter of the President and of several of Josh’s pet causes and rather forcefully called in a favor, Sam said Leo got so mad he walked out into the middle of the bull pen and rather loudly asked Josh when did the White House turn into an amateur production of ‘Hello Dolly.’" AJ, who really wasn’t very fond of the White House Chief of Staff groaned, "The son-of-bitch stole my line!" "Huh?" AJ took her elbow. "Come on. I’ll explain in the car." He glared back at Rabb. "You’ll return mine, in one piece?" "Aye-aye, sir. And, thank you." After the Admiral and CJ had pulled out of the driveway, the three returned to the parlor. Jenkins came in and quietly announced that he would serve dinner in the dining room and should he have Mrs. Jenkins wake up Mrs. Abernathy. "I’ll do it, thank you, Jenkins." Rabb started for the doorway but Mac hurried up to him. "You want me to do it?" He suspected that she was worried he would do something stupid, but he wanted to be with Samantha - just to protect her. "No, Jarhead. That’s okay. Hey, what are you worried about? It will be a piece of cake." As he walked up the staircase, Clay came and put his arm around Sarah. "He’s got it bad," he whispered. "I know. But, Clay, I’m so afraid"
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