Old Friends and Other SurprisesAuthor: Rorie Classification: Webb alternate universe fic Summary: Mac's cousin is also Clayton Webb's wife's best friend. She makes a visit to see her friend. AU characters belong to their originators. LTC LORA
SUMMERALL'S APARTMENT Lt. Col. Lora Summerall wearily unlocked the door to her tiny apartment. She dropped the mail she had been carrying on the table next to the sofa and headed to her bedroom. Lora carefully removed the ribbons from her blouse and stripped down to her slip. She threw the uniform into the clothes hamper, that was rapidly filling, signaling that another trip to the laundromat was soon approaching. She stopped at the dresser long enough to grab some clothes for after her shower. Heading into the bathroom, she got into the shower and let the hot water melt the tension of the day away. Working for NCIS wasn't always a glamorous job, and the fact that she was regularly "loaned" out to the CIA didn't help matters any. Sometimes she wished she had been smart like her cousin and had gone into JAG and actually used that law degree that she had worked so hard for. Most days, however, she loved her job. Stepping out of the shower into the steam-filled room, the petite blonde toweled off and got dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants and a t-shirt emblazoned with "USMC." Brushing her long tresses, that were a nightmare to pull up into a regulation hairstyle, Lora walked into her living room. Leafing through the mail, she noticed a thick manila envelope bearing familiar handwriting, "Mac." she smiled, "but nothing from Scott tonight." Heading towards the kitchen, she stopped at the table and flipped on her laptop. Waiting for it to load, she started water for a cup of hot tea and pulled one of those frozen dinners from the freezer. She stuck it in the microwave and turned back to the computer, after typing in her password, she clicked on the icon to dial up her internet service provider. The familiar "you've got mail" chime sounded, she smiled. Scrolling through the message headers, she found the one she wanted: //From: CDR Scott Summerall <CDRSummerall@navy.mil> Honey, it's been a long day... I just got out of a briefing after today's hops. It's pretty quiet here, the Serbs just sit there and watch us... and we sit here and watch them. Now, I just want to lay down and picture your smiling blue eyes and hear your soft voice whispering in my ear. Ma petite ange, I miss you terribly. Every day away from you is another day of misery. Some days I just want to hop the first transport off of this floating island so that I can spend the rest of my life in your arms. But I know I can't so I sit and imagine your face as you read this.... It won't be long until my leave then we can be together.... Have you gotten it arranged so that you can be off at the same time? Damn, my roommate just walked in, so I guess I'll be closing this.... Remember, Rorie, I love you and I always will... no matter how far apart we are right now. All my love, Scott.// Sighing, Lora hit the reply button and typed her reply. It was hard being here while her husband and the love of her life was on the Seahawk in the Mediterranean... one of those assigned to safeguard the fledgling peace agreement in Kosovo. Lora got up to take care of the now-boiling kettle and to check to see if her dinner was ready yet, it was. She carried it and her mug of tea into the living room to read her mail. It was mostly bills and junk mail. She saved the envelope from Mac until the end. She opened it and dumped out the contents... Mac always saved and forwarded all of Lora's mail, except the junk, in a large envelope, as most of her mail went to her cousin's address, due to the fact that Lora was always being called away from Newport on some assignment or another. She opened the top envelope, addressed to "Lora O'Hara," in a flowery computer-generated script... an invitation to the high school reunion. "Oh, joy, just what I need, an evening with all of the people that used to call me a nerd and think I was weird because I wanted to be in the Marines and a lawyer." She dropped that letter on the floor... to either discard or save, she hadn't decided. The next envelope was another invitation, this time to a friend's wedding... already passed. "I guess I'd better buy a card... soon." She picked up the letter from Mac... and set it aside to read later. The last item was a card addressed to "Maj. Lora Summerall" with the return address of "Mr. and Mrs. C. Webb." She opened it quickly. It was a beautifully embossed custom baby announcement. A picture of a newborn, obviously taken in the hospital, fell out. "Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Webb are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Clayton Alexander, Jr., on July 11, 1999." On the back of the photo was written, "C.J., 7/12/99, 7# 14 oz, 19 1/2 in." Lora looked at the picture, "I can definitely see Sandy in him... and Clay." She stood up and took the mug and empty frozen dinner container to the kitchen, then returned to the living room, "Hmmm, July 11... the Paris mission. I wonder if Clay made it back in time... all he talked about was Sandy and the baby, but he said there was still 3 weeks before she was due." she said out loud to the empty apartment... she usually spoke her thoughts out loud when she was at home, just to hear a human voice.... Lora thought back to her last mission for the Agency... 3 weeks earlier. She and Clayton Webb were in Paris tracking an international terrorist who was selling nuclear weapons bought from the former Soviet Union. They were undercover as a married couple on vacation in Paris. They were booked into the Ritz, in a suite larger than Lora's apartment. They had caught their man, but lost a couple of good agents in the process. It was something she would never get used to, losing a person in her command. "I'll bet Clay didn't tell Sandy about this mission... I know I won't... I heard all about the Carol and Sandy in the elevator fiasco from Clay. Well, at least Sandy knows I'm not after her husband... I've got one of my own. Note to self: buy card and baby gift for Sandy." Looking at the time, she picked up the letter from Mac, and headed to the bedroom. After changing into a very un-Marine-like satin nightgown, she climbed into bed to read the letter. "Why am I not surprised? Harm is the main subject." she smiled. "When is Mac gonna admit to herself that she had feelings for him?" Scott said pretty much the same thing about Harm... as luck would have it, when Harm returned to flying he was stationed on the Patrick Henry with Scott. "I just need to convince Maj. Sarah MacKenzie that these mixed marriages aren't so bad." She turned off the light and went to sleep. Tomorrow was another early day... she was in her incarnation as instructor at the War College, unless, of course, the Agency needed her again. CIA
HEADQUARTERS Lora stood in the elevator as it ascended to the floor where Clayton Webb had his office. She was grateful that it was empty, no one else was around to witness her nervousness. A nervous Marine, I'd never live that one down. She had come home from shopping Saturday afternoon. She had found the perfect gift for little C.J., she had stopped and gotten everything that she needed to ship it. When she arrived there was a message on her machine requesting her presence at Langley at 0930 Tuesday morning. In all the years she had worked "unofficially" for the Agency, she had only been to headquarters twice... neither time was an experience she longed to repeat. She had flown into Dulles late last night, and headed straight for her hotel. So far she hadn't let her cousin know that she was in town, a fact that, no doubt, Mac wouldn't let her hear the end of. The elevator stopped at her floor, Lora took a deep breath and stepped out. She knew that security had already called and alerted Clay's secretary that she was on her way up. She walked down the hallway towards Webb's office. Taking another deep breath, she went in. Carol looked up from the paperwork she was doing and smiled, "Col. Summerall, he's waiting for you." "Thank you, Carol." Lora said as she headed towards Clay's door. She knocked. "Enter." Clayton Webb's voice said from inside. Another deep breath and she opened the door. Clayton Webb stood up as she walked into the office, Always the gentleman. "Lora, it's great to see you again!" "Clay, it has only been three weeks since we came back from Paris, you know?" "Only three weeks! It seems longer... C.J. keeps us up at nights... it feels like 3 months." "How's Sandy doing?" "She's tired, but happier than I think I've ever seen her before. She loves being a mother, she's totally in love with our son. How about you? Have you heard from Scott lately?" "Only e-mail messages... they are so unsatisfying. I'm almost hoping for something bad to happen on board the Seahawk that warrants NCIS investigation, just so I can go and see him." "I don't know how you do it. I mean, I leave on assignments, but never as long as you and Scott are separated. I don't know if I could handle being away from Sandy and C.J. for six months at a time." "Clay, I knew what I was getting into when I married Scott... I knew the life we'd have, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Now enough of this chitchat... why the royal summons?" "Evidently, our guy in Paris has some powerful friends... they want us to go back and ferret them out." "Go back? Same cover?" "Yep, Mr. and Mrs. Culp just can't seem to stay away from the City of Lights." "No, Clay, you two just had a baby, Sandy needs you. Let me go by myself... I'll pick my own people... I have just the person in mind. I'll keep you informed, you stay with Sandy and C.J." "I can't let you do that, Lora. It's too dangerous." "I'm a Marine, Clay, I can take care of myself." (AN: I always wanted to say that! --vbg--) "Okay, we can run it by the DD, but I'm not totally sold on the idea. Sandy would never forgive me if I let her best friend get hurt." Clay picked up the phone, "Carol, we need to talk to the DD. Can you arrange it?" He listened for a second, then hung up the phone. "She'll call us when she's got us a meeting time. So have you spoken to your cousin yet?" "No, and I'm not going to hear the end of this one. She thinks I should stay with her whenever I'm in the City. She seems to think I'm gonna get in too much trouble without her around to watch my six. She's probably right." Clay laughed at the image of Maj. Sarah MacKenzie being all maternal. "Has she always been that way?" "Yep, ever since we were kids... I'm the older one, but she thinks she's my protector... never mind the fact that I could kick her six from here to Timbuktu. She got worse after her mom left her... I lost touch with her for a while when she was off with Chris. She and Uncle Matt are the reasons I joined the Corps. I don't know what I'd have done without her." "Speaking of Mac, why don't you invite her to dinner tonight... Sandy and I would love for you to come out to the house and meet C.J., and I have a feeling the Major could use some company." Lora smiled, "All right, Clay, I'll do that. What time?" "Is seven good for you?" "Seven's great... I'll be there, and I'll try to drag my cousin with me.... Heck, I outrank her now, I'll order her if I have to." Just then the phone buzzed, Clay picked it up and listened, "Thank you, Carol. We'll go up right now." and hung up. "The DD can see us right now, if we make it quick." 1600 ZULU (1100 EST) Clay and Lora walked back into Carol's office after their meeting with the Deputy Director. "...I'll be fine, Clay, I've had all of the training the Corps has to offer, as well as everything the Agency could throw at me. I know what I'm doing. "I know all of that, Lora. But I don't want to be the one who has to tell Scott that his wife is dead because I wasn't there to watch her six. He, and probably Rabb, as well, would delight in tearing me limb from limb at that news." Lora chuckled, "Clay, you've got nothing to worry about. I promise to come back in one piece, with only a minimal of damage. Now, stop pouting, haven't you learned yet that the Marines always win their fights." Clayton just glared at her, she smiled sweetly back, "Now, do you mind if I borrow Carol for a few minutes to make some phone calls?" "Of course not... I'll see you tonight." "Yep, 7 hours, 54 minutes, 23 seconds." "How do you two do that?" Clay asked, exasperatedly. "It's a Marine thing!" she answered, in Farsi. Clay shook his head, not really understanding what she just said, and went into his office. Lora stepped over to the desk, "Okay, Carol, I need you to get Clay's current *partner,* said with a disgusted look on her face, "Tatiana, on the phone." Carol looked at her funny, but dialed the phone. "Tatiana, Lt. Col. Summerall on the line for you." she handed the receiver to Lora. "Tatiana, are you interested in a trip to Paris?" she proceeded to give the woman the details of when and where to meet, then hung up. She smiled at Carol, "I've heard all about *that woman.* I figured both Clay *and* Sandy could use a break from her." Carol smiled, "I don't suppose you could find a way to leave her in Paris, could you?" Lora laughed. "Can you get Adm. Chegwidden on the phone? Tell him that I need to see him ASAP. Thank you." MAJ. SARAH
MACKENZIE'S OFFICE Mac looked up from the brief she was studying just in time to see her cousin walking across the bullpen to the Admiral's office. I wonder why she's here...and why she didn't stop to see me. Five minutes later, PO Tiner knocked on Mac's open door. "Ma'am, the Admiral'd like to see you in his office right away." "Thank you, Kevin." Mac answered with a smile. She got up and headed for Chegwidden's office and knocked. "Enter." She did and came to attention in front of AJ's desk. "At ease, Major. Have a seat." Mac sat in the offered chair, "It's all yours, Col." AJ said motioning to Lora to proceed. "Thank you, Sir. Major MacKenzie, the Agency would like you to help us with something." Mac rolled her eyes, she had had plenty of experience with the Agency, and most of the time, it ended badly. However, this time it was a new experience, instead of Clayton Webb trying to con her and Harm into helping him, this was her own cousin. "So, Col., what's involved?" she asked. "Last month, we apprehended a terrorist who was selling nuclear weapons he had gotten from the former Soviet Union. However, now we have learned that he was not alone... he seems to have very powerful friends. We need to go back to Paris and ferret out the new sellers. Clayton Webb was involved in the first mission, but due to the new baby, won't be able to go on this one. That's why we're asking you for your help." Lora explained to her confused cousin. "You know, of course, Major, that your participation in this mission is strictly voluntary. I'm sure the Agency can find someone else to save their sixes if you don't want to." AJ said to his junior officer. "I know, Sir. Ma'am, " she said while rolling her eyes, "I'll do it." "Thank you, Major." "All right, Ladies, why don't you go to the Major's office and discuss this...some of us have work to do..." Chegwidden said with a twinkle in his eye, or at least e-mail to send to their daughter. "Aye-aye, Sir." Lora and Mac said in unison, snapping to attention. "Dismissed." "So, Mac, wanna go and get some lunch? We can discuss this later... I'm starving... they don't have Beltway Burgers in Rhode Island... and I really want one right now." "Sure let me just grab my cover and bag..." Mac answered grabbing the items. The two women headed for the elevator. WEBB RESIDENCE The cousins pulled into the driveway at Clay's house in Mac's corvette. It was a beautiful night and they had the top down, getting admiring looks from other drivers. They were a lesson in contrasts: Mac with her dark hair and eyes, and height versus Lora with her red hair, blue eyes, and petite frame. However when one looked at the two of them together, it was obvious that they were related... they had the same shaped face, the same twinkle in their eyes, and the same funny lip thing when they were hiding something. They got out of the car, and went up to the front door and rang the bell. Inside, they could hear the sounds of a crying baby, they exchanged a look that said 'uh oh.' Sandy Webb answered the door with a smile, "Come in... sorry about the noise." They could see Clay in the background frantically trying to quiet C.J. down, unsuccessfully. "No problem, Sandy." Mac said with a laugh. Lora handed Mac the package she was carrying and went over to where Clay was, "What did you do to him, Clay? Pinch him?" Clay shot her a look that said, 'I suppose you could do better.' "Would you like me to try, Clay?" she asked. Clay passed the baby to Lora who immediately put him up on her shoulder and began the "mom" rock. Amazingly, the little boy began to settle down and fell asleep. "How... how did you do that so quickly?" the flustered agent asked. "It's a..." "If you say 'It's a Marine thing,' I'm gonna have to deck you." Clay said jokingly. "Not while I'm holding your son, you won't. And I was going to say, it's a trick you pick up when you've got several nieces and nephews running around." Sandy and Mac watched the exchange between Lora and Clay with amusement. Finally, Sandy came over and took the baby. "Do you two want to come upstairs with me while I put him to bed?" she asked Mac and Lora. "Of course we do." Mac answered for both of them. They followed Sandy upstairs and into the nursery, it was beautifully decorated. In the corner by the window was a rocking chair with a white crocheted afghan hanging over the back. In another corner was a beautiful hand carved rocking horse. Sandy crossed over to the crib and laid the baby down. Both of the other women stood next to her just watching him sleep. He looked like an angel. Lora sighed. "What was that for?" Mac asked. "Some days I want one." she answered. "But with my job, I don't know..." "It'll happen some day." Sandy reassured her friend, putting her arm around Lora's shoulders. They stood like that for a couple of moments. Finally, Lora pulled out of them embrace. "Well, enough of this. I brought C.J. a present." she reached over and took the package that Mac was still carrying and handed it to Sandy. Sandy sat in the rocking chair and opened it. She first pulled out a small red t-shirt with gold lettering that read "My Aunt's a Marine!" she laughed. "I hope you don't mind... all of my nieces and nephews have one." "No, I think it's adorable. Just wait until Clay sees it." Sandy said with a smile. Next she pulled out a brown teddy bear. "It's a special bear," Lora explained. "It has a pocket on its tummy with a packet that you put in the microwave. After heating, you put the bear in the crib with the baby... the warmth seems to soothe them. My sister-in-law swears by it, especially during teething. Of course, you have to remember not to put it on the baby..." The last item in the box was a large picture frame. It was made to look like a baby quilt. There were spaces for a picture of mom and a picture of dad, a birth photo, then one photo for every month up to 11 months, then a large space in the middle for the one-year-old portrait. "Thank you, Lora, they're all great." Sandy said. "You could put a picture of yourself pregnant in there, like my sister-in-law did." Sandy laughed, "I don't think so... I don't need to remember the 'beached whale' look... I'm going to claim temporary amnesia on that one." Mac and Lora laughed. Just then Clay poked his head into the room, "Are you ladies hungry? or am I interrupting a female-bonding moment?" "We're coming right now, Honey." Sandy replied. Lora and Mac went in front of her, and Sandy smacked her husband on the arm as she passed. "Ouch, what was that for?" he pouted. "Just because." she said sweetly and went downstairs to join her guests. "Dinner is served." she announced as Clay made his way into the living room. "And don't worry, I didn't cook." After a dinner of salad, filet mignon, and a sinfully rich chocolate mousse cake, all expertly prepared by the chef hired by Porter Webb, in order to spare her son the honor of eating his wife's cooking, the party retired to the living room. They talked well into the night, interrupted once by C.J. who insisted that his pants needed changing and his tummy filled. The subject of the Paris mission was avoided like the plague, except for the one time Sandy left to attend the baby upstairs. "I wish you'd reconsider and let me go with you to Paris." Clay said, still not sold on the plan and worried about the ladies' safety. "Clay, I told you before, I can handle myself. Besides Mac and Tatiana will also be there." Lora replied. "It's sweet of you to worry, but you really don't have to." She knew, however, that he'd worry from the moment they took off until the moment they landed back in the States. "I know I don't have to, but I do. I have a bad feeling about this mission. I can't explain it... something's not right." "Clay, would that feeling go away if you were going with us? Or would you still have this impression?" Mac asked. "I honestly don't know... maybe both. I just don't want to be the one who has to tell Scott and Harm that you two aren't coming home. And the Admiral, he'd break a lot more than my nose this time." "Clay, I promise you that Mac and I will make it home in one piece." Lora said. "Now Tatiana is another story." she added under her breath. "I heard that, Rorie." Mac said. "Who me?" Lora asked innocently, "What did I say, Catie?" "You know what you said." Mac replied with a laugh, just as Sandy returned. "Do you two want to be alone?" Sandy asked sarcastically. Lora playfully slapped her friend, who then retaliated in kind. Lora grabbed a pillow off of the couch and swatted Sandy with it, who did the same, all the while begging for Clay's protection. Mac finally got involved in the little "spat." Soon all three were hitting each other with pillows, being careful not to knock anything off of the shelves and tables. Clay looked at the melee with amusement, "I think I'm leaving... this reminds me too much of a girls' dormitory in college. The three women collapsed in giggles on the floor, "And what would you know about girls' dormitories, Dear?" Sandy asked. "I'm pleading the fifth and making my exit while I still can." Clay said heading for the door, a hail of pillows following him. Later, after composing themselves and having girl-talk time, Mac and Lora left. Sandy and Lora agreed to get together the next time that Lora was in town, providing there was time. They also exchanged e-mail addresses, Sandy getting a good laugh at Lora's. She thought it was hilarious that a Marine should have the email address 'PoohBear.' IN THE CAR EN
ROUTE TO MAC'S APARTMENT "That was fun, thanks for including me." Mac said. "It took my mind off of certain things for a while." "No problem, Catie. Speaking of certain things... or is it a certain someone..." "Don't start, Rorie." "How is the Commander doing?" Mac blushed, though the darkness covered the blush. "Okay, I guess." "You guess? I bet you've spoken to him almost every single day since he left." Mac blushed again. "Rorie, can we drop this line of questioning?" "Why is the witness hiding something?" "No... Your Honor, counsel is badgering the witness." Mac quipped. "I am not... I'm just asking out of cousinly concern." Lora retorted. "*So,* how is he doing?" "He's doing great... he's having the time of his life... he's following his dream, and I'm..." "You're what, Catie?" "I'm... I'm missing him more than I ever thought I could miss a person.... There, are you happy now? I said it. I miss Harm... and I love him." "I knew it! You know, Catie, mixed marriages aren't so bad!" DULLES AIRPORT "This is your last chance to change your mind and let me come." Clayton Webb said, as he waited with Mac and Lora at the boarding gate. Tatiana was still not there and the plane was to begin boarding in fifteen minutes. "Clay, how many times do I have to tell you... we are going to be fine. Sandy and CJ need you at home." Lora said, emphatically. "I know, I know." he replied, "But I had to try... my conscience would have bothered me if I didn't." "The great Clayton Webb has a conscience?" Mac asked, sarcastically. "Yeah, I do...but don't spread it around... wouldn't want AJ or Rabb to find that out. They delight in thinking I'm the Tinman with no heart who just lives to get other people in trouble." "Well, don't you?" Mac asked, again sarcastically. "Of course, that's my job." Clay replied with equal sarcasm. About that time, a tall, leggy blonde waltzed her way over to the group. "Clayton, Darling, you came to see me off. How sweet!" she said as she threw her arms around the stunned agent. Clay pushed her away gently, "Tatiana, how nice of you to join us." "That's Clay's new partner?" Mac whispered behind her hands to her cousin. "Unfortunately." Lora replied, also in a whisper. Raising her voice, "Tatiana, let me introduce you to the third member of our team, Maj. Sarah MacKenzie." Tatiana looked Mac up and down, "It's nice to meet you, Major." she said, dismissively before turning her attentions back to Clay, who definitely didn't want them. Thankfully, the flight attendant chose that time to announce first-class boarding. "That's us." Lora said, heading towards the gate with Mac following. She noticed that Tatiana, however, wasn't following them so she headed back over to where the blonde was still hanging onto Clay's arm possessively. "Tatiana, *dear,* it's time to board the plane." she firmly grabbed the other agent's hand and literally dragged her towards the gate. She turned to see Clay flash her a grateful smile. After the women had boarded the plane, Clay looked down at his suit jacket and noticed yet another lipstick stain. "Oh, great, how am I gonna explain this one to Sandy?" LTC LORA
SUMMERALL'S APARTMENT Lora stumbled through her front door, exhausted. It had been a grueling almost 3 weeks. Mac, Tatiana, and Lora all had to work hard to flush out the other members of the terrorist cell, but they managed to do it. Tatiana had surprised her by taking a bullet that was meant for Lora. Fortunately, it only grazed her shoulder. Mac had remarked that the injury should cut down on her ability to hang all over Clay for a while, not in Tatiana's hearing, of course. Lora had been through a day of debriefing with the stuffed shirts at the Agency. They all commended her on a job well done. Commendations would be put in her Agency file, as well as in her Corps file. Tatiana and Mac were also getting commendations. The praise, however, didn't lessen the length of time that she had to endlessly rehash every minute detail of the mission. Finally, Clay had taken pity on her and called a halt to the interrogations. He had put on the first plane back to Rhode Island with instructions to pamper herself. She sent her love to Sandy and the baby, and boarded the plane. Now, all she wanted was a long, hot bubble bath. Even the thought that there might be a letter or e-mail message from Scott didn't deter her. She headed straight for her bathroom, stripping off clothes as she went, so that by the time she reached the bathroom door she was wearing only her bra and underwear. She didn't even stop to get after-bath clothes. There was no one around, she figured that she could wear a towel for the ten steps from the bathroom door to the dresser. Pushing open the bathroom door, Lora gasped. The room was steamy, the tub was full of luxuriant bubbles, candles were lit on the sink. A rose lay on the edge of the tub. Suddenly, someone came up behind her and put their arms around her waist and kissed her neck. She smiled. "You know, Jet Jock, sneaking up on a Marine could be hazardous to your health." She turned around in her husband's arms. "Not that I'm complaining or anything, but what are you doing home?" "I got leave... and where else would I be but here with my absolutely gorgeous wife?" "Flattery will get you everywhere." Lora said, pushing up on her toes to kiss Scott. He returned her kiss and deepened it. Finally, they broke off for air. "You should get in the bath before it gets cold." Scott said gently, propelling her towards the tub. "Well, Jet Jock, there *is* room for two in this tub, you know." she said seductively. "Is that an invitation, Marine?" "Take it however you want, Squid." Lora replied as she stripped off her remaining clothes and stepped into the tub. Scott watched her appreciatively, then stripped off his own clothes and joined her.... 0530 ZULU (0030 EST) Scott rested on one arm, watching his sleeping wife in the bed next to him. After the bath, they had scrambled for the bed in an urgency borne of three months of separation. They had made love over and over, until sated they both fell asleep. Scott had woken up, but didn't want to wake Lora. She was so beautiful when she slept, her long auburn hair fanned out on the pillow like a halo around her face. She looked like an angel. He could watch her forever and not get tired. Lora stirred and her eyelids fluttered open, she smiled when she saw her husband looking down at her. "I thought I was having the most wonderful dream, but when I awaken it's to an even more wonderful dream." Scott leaned down and kissed her, "It's not a dream, Rorie. Happy anniversary three days late." Lora pulled Scott down to her again, "I couldn't ask for a nicer anniversary present." He whispered something in her ear, she chuckled, "Well, that sounds good, too." They proceeded to act on Scott's suggestion. 1445 ZULU (0945 EST) Lora reached over in the bed... it was empty. She opened her eyes and sighed, maybe it was just a vivid dream, after all. She got up and grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself before heading out of the bedroom. Opening the door, she was met with the smells of coffee and bacon. She padded into the kitchen and chuckled at the sight of her fighter pilot husband cooking eggs wearing her apron. Scott turned around, "What are you laughing at, Marine?" "Nothing." "Well, you'd better watch it or I'm not gonna give you any breakfast." Lora put on her best "puppy dog eyes" look. He laughed, "Okay, you win." She came up behind him and put her arms around his waist. "How come you let me sleep so long? It's 0952 and 30 seconds. I was supposed to be at work 52 minutes, 30 seconds ago." "Not today, you're not... I called your CO, he agreed that you deserved some time off. I've 10 days off, so do you. And how come I was supposed to wake you up. What happened to that famous O'Hara internal clock that you and your cousin boast of?" Lora smiled seductively, "Well, you see, last night a certain Sailor that I know sort of knocked off my timing." Scott laughed. After breakfast, they sat on the couch in the living room, listening to classical music on the radio. Lora adjusted her position so that she could look up at her husband, "Scott, what would you say if I told you that I wanted a baby?" "Rorie, are you serious? You want a baby?" "Yes, Scott. I've been thinking about it seriously for a while, and seeing Sandy's CJ, just made the yearning deeper. I want a baby... your baby." "Have you thought about what this would mean for your career?" "Of course... I would have to resign from the Agency... but I would stay in the Corps... I could stay with NCIS as a teacher right here in Newport. I wouldn't have to travel all over... I'd be here for our child. Scott, I really want this.... What are you thinking?" "I'm thinking that our baby would be the luckiest child in the world to have for a mother... I'm thinking that I want to be a father... I'm thinking about how much fun we'll have making our child... or at least trying." "Scott, you are so bad!" Lora exclaimed, getting up off of the couch and pulling her husband towards the bedroom. "Care to try, Sailor?" The End (for now)... |
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