They were developing a schedule for the morning. Meredith was the first one up, going through whatever exercise she deemed appropriate for her mood. One of the guys would usually join her, possibly more than one depending upon the day. After they finished, they would get ready, and Meredith would wake whoever was still asleep. Breakfast was a place to touch base before they got started and everyone shifted into “Navy” mode. Meredith was still Meredith, and the guys were still the guys. Once they stepped foot onto the base, they shifted into commanding officer and trainees.
On Friday, Meredith herded everyone out to the Land Cruiser, tossing the keys to Nick so he could drive. The short trip to the base was filled with the sounds of Eminem as Nick exercised his autocracy and blasted them with rap.
Brian rubbed his ears as he climbed out of the vehicle. “I think I need to play some country music or something, just to equalize my brain after that.”
AJ laughed. “Got any country music, Commander?”
Meredith thought for a minute, then nodded. “I think there’s some Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, and George Strait in my CD case.”
AJ turned to Brian. “I think we can fix you right up.”
Brian slapped AJ on the shoulder as he followed his friend into the building and down the hall to Meredith’s office. Becky stood as they entered the office, smiling a welcome.
“Good morning.” She handed a cup of coffee to Meredith.
“Why don’t you ever fix me coffee?” Nick headed for the coffee pot.
The young woman smiled at him. “You don’t sign my paycheck.”
“Details, details.” He poured a cup and inhaled the aroma, a grateful smile on his face.
Meredith completed her morning ritual of checking e-mail and reviewing any paperwork before she got her team started on training. Becky had left an envelope containing five house keys on her desk, having had them made at Meredith’s request. She packed them in her bag to hand out later.
The morning run was only three miles, and they moved through the calisthenics with relative ease. Meredith surprised them by not taking them to the obstacle course. Instead, she led them to one of the tables and worked some more on hand signals before sending them off to work with their Seal counterparts.
Because they enjoyed what they were doing, the morning passed quickly. At noon, Meredith ended their “classes” and led them back to the mess hall for lunch. When Kevin saw Nick and Meredith conferring over the vegetables, he groaned.
Hawkins looked at the younger man, questions evident in his eyes. Kevin shook his head.
“They had a contest last night to see who could eat more. I can’t even understand how they’re looking at lunch.”
Hawkins laughed. “Don’t ask these questions. You’ll never get a straight answer.”
The group found a table, spread out, and began eating, after either joining in Meredith’s quick prayer or just waiting out of respect. Meredith looked around the dining room, checking out the various groups of people who’d signed up for the training session. She recognized several people---from musicians to actors to athletes. Her thoughts drifted to the war games that were going to be held, and she let ideas percolate in the back of her mind as to what she was going to do with her team.
“Commander?”
The voice finally broke through her thoughts, and she looked up to find Howie staring at her. “Yes, Dorough?”
“Are you okay?” He looked concerned, since he had to call her several times before she responded.
“I’m fine, just collecting my thoughts. Did you have a question?”
“What are we doing this afternoon?”
She smiled brightly. “We’re going to hit the woods this afternoon and put into action some of the maneuvers you’ve learned this week.”
Team 2 chuckled, obviously relishing the idea of getting to play, and the five men looked at each other before looking at Meredith.
“This isn’t going to hurt, is it?” Brian looked at her.
“I think it’ll be relatively painless.” She took a sip of her water after she answered him, the rim of the glass hiding her smile.
“How relative is a matter of personal definition.” Hawkins laughed at the expressions on the five faces in front of him.
After lunch was finished, they headed back to the training field and listened as Curran explained which maneuvers he wanted them to do and why they would choose that particular move in a situation. When everyone understood the concept of the various flanking and frontal positions, he sent the team out to play.
Meredith was down in the thick of it with them, getting just as grungy and tired as her team. That afternoon, after an exhaustive round of crawling through the woods, they marched back onto the office commons and ran across Watson and his trainees, as well as a couple of other groups. Meredith halted at the sight of Watson and saluted, her team following suit.
“At ease, Davenport.”
She could see the grins of the other trainees as they looked at the Backstreet Boys---hair hanging in limp strands, dirt and mud covering skins and clothes---not the usual coiffed appearance of the fivesome.
“Yes, sir.” Each of them eased into parade rest.
“I see you’ve been working them hard.”
“Yes, sir.” Meredith wasn’t sure where this line of comments was going, but she didn’t intend to give any more information than was required.
“What have you been up to?” Watson moved a bit closer, but not too close since the smell of sweat was a bit overpowering.
“Obstacle course, formation drills, weapons---just the usual, sir.”
“weapons?” Lance leaned over to JC as he looked at the group in front of him.
“Very good, Davenport. Carry on.” Watson returned their salutes and watched as Meredith and the guys returned to their march down the sidewalk.
They stopped briefly in her office to pick up their bags, not lingering because they just felt nasty after their field work. When they reached the parking lot and her Land Cruiser, Meredith dropped her backpack on the ground and leaned against the car, her forehead resting against the glass.
“I don’t think I can move.”
“I think I’m broken.”
She grinned as she turned to look at her group. They were sweaty, tired, dirty, but they had done everything she’d asked them to do.
“What do you guys say we get the hell out of here?”
They perked up a bit at the thought of leaving and managed to haul themselves into the car. Meredith quickly rolled down the windows to allow some fresh air to circulate. “I’m gonna have to fumigate tomorrow.”
Brian nodded from the front seat. “I’ll help.”
She smiled at him as she started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. They were home within 20 minutes.
Nick stood in the middle of the hall, his backpack dangling from his fingers.
“Problem?” Meredith stood beside him.
“I’m not sure if I just want to strip down and fall into bed or go sit in the hot tub until I’m a prune.”
“I vote for the hot tub.” Howie moved past them and on to his bedroom.
“I’m all for that.” Kevin followed closely behind.
The other two looked at Nick and Meredith for a moment before they disappeared down the hall.
“Still deciding?” She looked at him and smiled.
“No, I’ve decided. I just can’t get my body to move.” With a groan, he turned and headed down the hall.
Meredith moved in the other direction. She looked at her bed longingly before deciding that a long hot soak would help ease the soreness in her muscles. Dinner was a matter of “if you can find it, you can eat it.” Leftovers filled the table, and the conversation was minimal.
All six of them managed not to fall asleep in the hot tub that night, much to Meredith’s relief, and they headed for bed after a round of weary goodnights.
“Reeny-beanie’s here.”
Getting out of bed, she pulled on some boxers and a t-shirt and wandered into the kitchen. Waiting until the pan of hot rolls was placed on the stove, Meredith stepped up behind Irene and wrapped her arms around her sister.
“Hey, chickie.”
Irene turned around and hugged her older sister. “Hey, sweetie. You don’t mind me showing up, do you?”
They parted and stood looking at each other before Meredith laughed. “Hell no, especially when you cook.”
Leaning over the stove, Meredith took a deep sniff of the cinnamon and cream cheese frosting tantalizing her nose.
“Oh, God, what’s that wonderful smell?” Kevin stumbled into the kitchen and stopped when he realized there was one more woman there than he expected.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.” He blushed a bit when he realized that he wasn’t wearing anything but a pair of plaid boxers.
“Kevin, this is my sister, Irene. Irene, Kevin Richardson.” Meredith stood back and watched as her sister tried desperately not to fall over in shock.
Kevin extended his hand, and Irene reached out with hers after staring at his blankly for a moment. The moment they touched, both of them shivered.
“It’s a pleasure, Irene.”
“The same, Kevin. I love your boxers.” She grinned at him as he blushed again.
Meredith smiled as she watched the two of them. She always said Irene recovered well, and meeting Kevin was definitely a surprise for the younger woman.
“Um, thanks. I think.”
“Have a seat, have a seat, and I’ll serve them up. Want milk or coffee?”
“Milk.” Meredith pulled out a chair and dropped into it.
“Coffee.” Kevin followed suit, claiming the other end of the table.
Irene finished swirling icing on the buns after she removed them from the pan. She arranged them on a platter and placed it on the table. After pouring a glass of milk for Meredith and a cup of coffee for Kevin and herself, she sat down.
“Enjoy.” Irene pulled a bun from the stack and set it on a plate.
Kevin grabbed one and dug in, sighing in pure bliss. “This is heaven.”
“It certainly is. New recipe?” Meredith licked her fingers.
“Yeah. I was at Simpatico, and John was testing it out. He couldn’t get it to work right, though.” Irene cut up the roll and slowly placed a piece in her mouth. She chewed on it, sampled the flavors, and decided that it had turned out right after all.
“I keep telling you, you should get out of the gallery and start that bakery.” Meredith took a drink of milk, and Irene reached over to wipe the milk moustache off her lip.
“And I keep telling you that if I did that, it wouldn’t be fun anymore, and the food wouldn’t be as good.”
“What smells so good?” Nick and Brian stood in the doorway.
“C’mon in, guys. This is Irene, my sister, and these are her wonderful cinnamon buns. Irene, Nick and Brian.” Meredith pointed each man out to her sister.
“The cat.” Nick sat down close to Meredith and grabbed a cinnamon bun. He took a big bite, his eyes opening wide.
“This is really good.” He took a drink of Meredith’s milk to help wash it down.
“Carter, did I tell you you could have some of my milk? I bought you a gallon of the stuff. Get your own.”
“I’ll get it.” Irene got up and poured another glass for Nick.
She turned to Brian and held up the jug. He nodded, and she poured another glass.
“What did you mean, ’the cat’?” She sat back down to finish her own pastry.
“We heard your conversation last week. Beef jerky and the automatic scooper.”
Irene grinned at her sister. “Yeah, Potiphar’s a handful all right.”
Everyone was on their second bun when AJ and Howie made an appearance. Howie dropped into a chair and stared at the plate of buns in the middle of the table. He reached for one and bit into it, closing his eyes as sweetness and cinnamon swirled on his taste buds.
“Coffee or milk?” The smooth tones jerked his out of his enjoyment, and he stared at the woman across from him.
Still chewing, he pointed to a coffee cup, and Irene poured him a cup. She turned to AJ, who sat with his head propped on his hand. He also pointed to a coffee cup, and she poured some in there. She refilled Kevin’s cup and her own when she finished with AJ’s.
“Cinnamon bun?” She nudged the plate closer to AJ.
“No, thanks. I don’t think I could stomach it right now.” AJ looked at the pastries lying on the plate and tried not to flinch.
“Bone, man, you don’t know what you’re missing.” Nick took a big swallow of milk to wash down the rest of his bite.
“AJ, Howie, this is my sister, Irene. Irene, Howie and AJ.”
Howie smiled at her over his cinnamon bun. AJ peered over his coffee cup at her and studied her, comparing the two women. He nodded and gave her a small grin.
Meredith looked over at the refrigerator at the list of chores. She’d hung up the list last Sunday night and planned to switch it around the next day. As she stared at the refrigerator, she lost track of the conversation until Irene poked her.
“Get your head out of the clouds.”
“I wasn’t in the clouds, I was thinking.”
“Yeah, right. That’s what you always say when you’re daydreaming about flying.” Irene stood up and began to pick up plates.
Brian took them from her before she could do anything. “I’ve got dishes this week.”
Irene shrugged and sat back down.
“Flying?” Kevin looked at Meredith.
“Oh, yeah. Ever since she got to fly in an F14 and make a carrier landing, she’s been nuts over the fighter planes.” The young woman glanced at her sister, then Kevin.
“You got to fly in a Tomcat?” Kevin’s eyebrows rose dramatically.
“Yeah, I did. I needed to get onto a carrier real quick, and they had a plane going over. It was incredible.” Meredith’s took on a dreamy quality as her chin sank into her hand.
“I do *not* understand this fascination you guys have with flying.” Nick leaned back in his chair.
“You either love it or you hate it. Don’t try to analyze it.” Irene watched her sister and Kevin as they both thought about the flights they’d taken.
“If you guys are finished up there in the stratosphere, what’s on the agenda for today?” AJ finished his coffee and looked much more awake.
“I’m planning on lounging by Merry’s pool and doing as little as possible.” Irene stretched her arms above her head, and every set of male eyes immediately followed the movement of her breasts.
Meredith looked down to keep from laughing. Ever since her sister’s figure had developed as a teenager, guys stared at her. When you had a Jane Russell figure, it was inevitable. Irene ignored their looks; well, all except Kevin’s. She looked at him, arching an eyebrow with a questioning look in her eyes. He looked back at her, a slow grin crossing his face.
“Lounging by the pool sounds like a great idea to me.”
“Glad everyone’s got a plan. Guys, don’t forget your chores. Reeny-beanie, come with me.”
Irene got up and followed Meredith to her bedroom. “That’s quite a lot of testosterone you’ve got in there.”
The young woman reached out and slapped the back of her sister’s head. “And why didn’t you tell me they were staying with you?”
“I wasn’t sure you noticed anyone else but Kevin.” Meredith pulled out a swimsuit and changed quickly. “And I wanted to watch your face when you saw them.”
“It’d be hard to miss any of them, but I must admit Kevin is very, very nice. You’re a bitch, and I will get you for this.” Irene followed her sister’s example and changed into a red bikini.
“You know they’re going to go into heat, don’t you?” She looked at her sister as the young woman pulled up massive amounts of black curls and pinned them on top of her head.
“I’m only interested in one of them getting all hot and bothered.” The young woman threw a cheeky grin at her older sister before opening the patio door and heading out to the pool.
“No doubt about that happening.” Meredith followed her outside after stopping for towels and grabbing her sunscreen.
Kevin was watching Nick clean the pool when the younger man looked up and promptly dropped the brush he was holding. Kevin turned around and felt his mouth drop open at the sight of Irene in her bikini. The bathing suit was not particularly skimpy, since there was no way dental floss would ever be able to hold her curves, but it did hug her body and accentuate the God-given beauty with which she’d been blessed. Irene and Meredith laughed at Nick as they made their way over to Kevin.
“Better watch for those flies, Mr. Richardson. Although insects are a viable food source in the wild, I don’t think you’ll appreciate the taste here and now.”
“Sorry.” Kevin spared a glance at Meredith before turning his attention back to Irene. “You look fantastic.”
“Thanks, Kevin.” She dropped her eyes for a moment before looking back at the man who’d pretty much stolen her interest that morning.
“You look pretty good yourself.”
Meredith left the two of them to continue their flirting and settled into a lounge chair.
“Why does he always get the beautiful ones?” Brian and Howie sat down in chairs next to Meredith.
She opened one eye to stare at them. “Because he’s handsome, sexy, and charming?”
“Yeah, sure, take his side.” Howie stretched out on his belly, turning his face towards them so he could talk.
“Do you see me over there, fighting for his attention?” She laid back and got settled on the chair.
“No.” Brian stretched on his belly as well, both men on either side of Meredith.
“Well, then, stop whining.”
Splashes of water drenched them as Nick slowly came to the surface. “Pool’s ready.”
“So we noticed, Mr. Carter. Remind me of this little incident on Monday, hmm?” Meredith smiled at him as she headed for the diving board.
“Shit.” The young man leaned against the edge of the pool as he watched her dive in and swim the length of the pool underwater.
Meredith popped up for air in the shallow end and splashed the feet of Irene and Kevin. “You two planning on talking or swimming?”
“Both.” Irene nodded at Kevin before walking over to the deep end and diving in. Kevin followed quickly.
They spent a couple of hours in the pool, and learned a lot about both women. Meredith explained that Irene owned an art gallery in New York City, but loved to cook. Irene told them that Meredith had wanted to be in the Navy ever since she’d heard the Village People sing In the Navy. Meredith promptly splashed her sister, starting a water fight that left everyone doubled over from laughter.
Meredith got out of the pool and toweled off in preparation to make lunch. She bent over and the waist and squeezed the water from her hair, running her fingers through it to kind of separate the strands. With a final shake, she straightened quickly and flipped her hair up and over. Knotting the towel around her hips, she disappeared into the house. Irene watched the guys as they watched her, paying close attention to one in particular. She realized that he had it bad for her sister. Go for it, hon. You’d be good for each other.
They heard Meredith whistle and got out of the pool, settling themselves at the patio table when they’d finished making their sandwiches.
“Any plans for this afternoon?” Howie leaned back in his chair and let the sun warm his face.
“Well, I need to clean the SUV and get rid of some of that grunge we left in it yesterday. After that, I’m open to the possibilities.” Meredith leaned back in her chair and looked around the table.
When she finished speaking, her eyes fell on AJ, and a twinkle appeared in his eyes as he considered the possibilities. They stared at each other for a moment, before Brian spoke up.
“How about some movies? Got anything good, Meredith?”
“You can look in the video cabinet. We can always go rent something.”
“All righty then.” The infamous Jim Carrey expression made itself known.
“I’m warning you now, I’m not particularly fond of Jim Carrey movies.” Meredith gathered her garbage together and tossed it in the garbage can close to the patio door.
Brian pressed his hands to his chest in horror. “You’re not a fan?”
“I loved Once Bitten. Does that count?”
He grimaced a bit.
“I didn’t like Dumb and Dumber and haven’t been back since. I also refuse to watch The Three Stooges.” She grabbed a pickle spear off Nick’s plate.
“Hey, I was planning on eating that.” The blond stared at her.
“Call it milk payback.”
“I don’t know if we can continue this relationship if you don’t like Jim Carrey.” Brian stared at Meredith before shaking his head sadly.
“Oh, woe is me. Whatever will I do?” She laid her hand on her head and flung herself on the table, sobbing loudly.
“Oh, please. You call that acting? This is how you do it.” Irene pushed Meredith over, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to “prepare” herself.
When she opened them, blue eyes glistened and her mouth trembled as a tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered. “How can I ever go on?”
Kevin was surprised, as were AJ and Howie. Brian and Nick stared in shock. Meredith took one look at Irene’s face and burst into laughter.
“She did this all the time when we were kids. Always got her own way.”
Irene chuckled. “Hey, I seem to recall that it got you out of trouble when you snuck out of the house to meet Billy Warren after curfew.”
“Well, yeah.” Meredith shrugged before she got up.
“I’m going to clean now. Y’all know where to find everything if you need it.”
She disappeared into the house to grab her cleaning supplies. Meredith stopped and grabbed a t-shirt off a stack of folded clothes and dropped the towel into the hamper. Passing through the garage, she pulled out a bucket and some rags. Within a few moments, she had the radio on in the Land Cruiser as she vacuumed the floor and cleaned out the trash. Brian showed up a couple of minutes later to find her stretched over the seats, her ass swaying as she moved in time to the music.
“Get a grip, man.” He continued to watch her.
Meredith heard him muttering and looked over her shoulder to catch him watching her. They looked at each other for a moment, and Brian was unsure about what to say or do. She watched the conflict cross his face and decided to take pity on him. When his eyes found hers again, she gave him a slow wink and a small grin before turning back to her cleaning.
Breathing a sigh that was a mixture of relief and frustration, Brian opened the back door and began to wipe down the seats.
**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**BsB**
“We have decided that we need to go to the video store.” Nick was waiting at the door to the kitchen when Meredith and Brian returned.
“Okay, let me put on a pair of shorts and we can go.” Meredith looked up to find Nick staring at her.
“What?”
“You’re wearing my t-shirt.” Nick folded his arms across his chest.
Meredith just looked at him for a moment. She crossed her arms in front of her and grabbed the hem of the shirt, slowly pulling it over her head. She let it dangle from one finger as she extended it to him.
“Thanks for the use of your shirt.”
“Eeuuuwww. Now it’s got cooties.”
She looked over at Brian before launching herself at Nick, wrapping her body around him.
“Oh, man, now I’m infected.”
Meredith laughed as Nick tried to pry her off. “You’re stuck with me, Munchkin. Never should have mentioned the cooties.”
He tried and tried to dislodge her, eventually calling for help. Kevin couldn’t stop laughing as he stared at Meredith’s impression of an octopus. Once everyone got a chance to see them and laugh at Nick, Meredith unwrapped herself.
“Who’s going to the video store with me?” She grabbed another t-shirt and a pair of shorts before picking up her purse and slipping on some sandals.
“I’m going to get started on dinner.” Irene smiled as she looked at her sister.
“I think I’ll stick around, too.” Kevin moved to Irene’s side.
“Like we didn’t see that one coming.” AJ rolled his eyes.
“I’ll go.” Brian piped up from behind Meredith.
“Me, too.” Nick was a close second.
“Let’s move, then.” All three headed for the Land Cruiser.
Meredith should have known there would be a problem when both men climbed into the back seat and began to giggle. At the store, they raced down the aisles yelling out movies to her. Meredith finally corralled them in Action/Adventure.
“You can each get two movies. Try to pick out something everyone will like.”
They disappeared in opposite directions, and Meredith just shook her head before heading off to Drama.
They all met back up at the counter, where Meredith found them loaded down with more than just movies---they had gum, candy, and popcorn.
“Y’all are gonna be wired for sound, you know that?” She just looked at them, setting her movies on the counter. Brian and Nick did the same, carefully piling their goodies on top.
“Hi, Commander.” Jake took all of the stuff lying on the counter and started to ring it up.
“Hi, Jake. How are you?”
“Pretty good. Let’s see. You’ve got The Mummy. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The Truman Show. Dirty Dancing. Predator. Ace Ventura.”
Meredith rolled her eyes as she looked at Brian, who just rolled his eyes back.
“Okay, Bubble Yum, Sweetarts, popcorn, Red Hots…” Jake looked at Meredith, who pushed her box of Whoppers onto the counter. “And the ever popular Whoppers.”
She paid for the videos, letting Nick pay for the snacks, and told Brian he had to pay next time. Within minutes, they were back home.
“Honey, I’m home.” Meredith dropped the bag onto the kitchen table and watched as Kevin carefully stirred the batter as Irene directed him.
She had Howie chopping vegetables and AJ grating cheese.
“Working them hard, I see.” Meredith grabbed a carrot stick and nibbled on it.
“Of course I am.” Irene smiled at her sister and looked at her questioningly. “What did you get?”
Meredith nodded at the boys. “They picked out Willy Wonka, Predator, The Truman Show, and Ace Ventura.”
Irene laughed at the expression on her sister’s face. “And what did you pick out?”
“Dirty Dancing.”
“Mmm, Patrick Swayze.” Irene nodded in approval.
“And The Mummy.”
“Ooooh, I feel the lust coming on. Oded is so fine.”
“Oded?” Kevin stopped stirring as Irene added in the cocoa.
“Tattooed guy in The Mummy. I’d take the veil for that man.” Irene finished measuring the rest of the ingredients for the cake and put them in the bowl.
AJ looked at the two women. “Take the veil?”
Irene smiled at him. “Well, he’s Arabic, and for the most part, their women do still wear full cover. We’re just saying he’s fine enough to make us want to go through that whole thing.”
He nodded, then shook his head at Howie as he turned back to grating the cheese.
“Mmm-hmmm. Finer’n frog’s hair split three ways.” Meredith leaned over and dipped her finger in the batter bowl.
She closed her eyes as she licked her finger, letting her tongue linger to sample the delicious chocolate flavor. As if aware that she was causing a problem, Meredith opened her eyes and looked at AJ, tilting her head slightly and smiling.
AJ felt a familiar rumble of desire deep in his belly as he watched her lick off the sweet batter. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to cover himself in the rich chocolate and let her tongue lave every inch of his skin. He shivered slightly at the thought of her silky touch caressing him, and he felt his cock stir and press against his shorts in reaction to his wandering mind. Stepping closer to the counter, he hoped no one would notice his reaction.
“Where exactly are y’all from?” Brian sat down in a chair next to the table and watched everyone.
Irene smiled. “Germantown, Tennessee.”
“Ah, Tennessee belles.”
“Damn straight, and no yellow rose is *ever* gonna beat this belle.” Irene had Kevin hold up the spoon and let the batter pour to test the consistency of it.
“Needs more beating. Brian, flour these pans for me.”
The young man got up and took the round cake pans from Irene. Nick stared at his friend, wondering how the flour was going to stay in there. Brian looked over and had to laugh at Nick’s expression.
“What’s wrong, Nick?”
“How do you get the flour to stay?”
Taking a paper towel, he rubbed it on the butter stick sitting on the counter, then smeared it over the inside of the pans. Once he finished, he poured flour in there and gently shook each pan to coat the surface.
“Pans are done.” He stepped back and let Kevin pour in the batter once Irene proclaimed it was ready.
“Cool.” Nick was just amazed at the whole process.
“I’ve got to strip the beds. Don’t start the movies without me.” Meredith disappeared out of the kitchen.
Howie watched her leave, then looked over at AJ, who took a deep breath and released it. He could see the side glances his friend kept throwing at the woman, heard the slight hiss of inhalation as she licked off the chocolate. He definitely recognized AJ’s subtle movement toward the counter as a way to hide his arousal at Meredith’s sensual actions. His mind tumbled these thoughts around as he made his way into the den. Hmm.
They watched the movies, and Meredith even laughed at Ace Ventura, mainly because she’d seen Brian do his Carrey impersonations. Irene would disappear every so often to check on the cake or dinner. When she returned after a third check, she was humming a tune only Meredith recognized.
“Comment est-il {how is it}?”
“Bon. Si soyez prêt en environ trente minutes {Good. Should be ready in about thirty minutes}.”
“Here we go again.” Nick threw his hands up in the air.
“What?” Meredith looked over at the young man.
“Last week, it was Italian. This week, it’s French. What’s next week, Russian?”
“? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???????. {I only speak a little Russian}.”
“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
“???, ? - ??. {No, I’m not}.”
“Sheesh!”
“Where did you learn so many languages?” Howie popped some Red Hots into his mouth.
“Boarding school.” Both women answered at once.
“Boarding school?” Kevin looked over at Irene.
“Yeah. You know, pigtails, blazers, knee-high socks, plaid skirts.” She smiled at Kevin and bobbed her eyebrows a few times.
“In Germantown?” Brian swiped some Whoppers before Meredith could yank the box away.
“No, Geneva. A school full of girls on the same cycle and a country famous for its chocolate---it was heaven.” Irene leaned back against the sofa, her shoulder resting against Kevin’s.
“At least that’s the way it seemed for the boy’s academy down the road.’ Meredith smirked as she remembered late-night excursions.
Nick closed his eyes and tried to image Meredith as a teenager in a boarding-school uniform, but he just couldn’t do it.
“I can see the wheels turning. What’s on your mind, Munchkin?”
“I just can’t picture you in a boarding-school uniform.”
“I can.” AJ mumbled the words, but Kevin heard him and looked over at his bandmate.
AJ looked up at his friend and realized that Kevin had heard him. The older man was amused to see the tips of AJ’s ears pinken, but he didn’t say a word.
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Dinner was held in the dining room instead of the kitchen, and Irene made Meredith use the good china. Quirking an eyebrow at her sister, she turned and headed for the sideboard to retrieve the crystal and bone china she’d received as a wedding present. She laid full place settings down, from salad forks all the way to butter knives lying across the bread plates. She even folded the napkins in the shape of fans and laid them in the plates.
As Irene called out that dinner was ready, Meredith lit the candles on the table and waited for the others to arrive. Kevin walked through the door and stopped abruptly, causing Brian and AJ to bump into him. They looked around the taller man, their eyes widening at the lavishly set table.
“Coming through.” Irene’s voice drifted over them from behind, and they moved out of her way.
She stopped and took in the table, shaking her head as she placed the casserole on a trivet. When she looked up, Meredith was sitting at her spot, a tiara nestled on her head. Irene laughed, and the guys just looked at their commanding officer. They turned to each other, silently asking if they needed to be worried. Meredith gave them an innocent look.
“What?”
“I think the tiara’s a little much, dear.”
“You told me to put out the good china. Let’s remember our etiquette lessons, dear. Grandmother would slap your hand for being underdressed at dinner.”
Irene sat down and motioned for the guys to join them. “But you’re no more dressed than I am.”
“Au contraire. I’m wearing diamonds, and a woman is *never* underdressed while wearing diamonds.” Meredith turned up her nose and removed her napkin from her plate, laying it across her laugh.
“I always hated going to Grandmother’s house for dinner.” Irene grumbled as she followed her sister’s example.
After grace was said by Irene, who used the proper form sanctioned by their grandmother, they dug into the wonderful dinner they all helped create. The two women watched as the guys gingerly held the glasses of wine and carefully used their utensils. Nick stared down at the array of forks, then looked up helplessly at Meredith.
She smiled at him gently. “Always work your way in. The forks are set in order of the course, so if you start at the end, you’ll always use the right one.”
He nodded and picked up the outermost fork, using it to eat his salad. Sighs seemed to echo around the room as forks were finally laid on the table when the last bite was consumed. Howie scooted his chair back a bit and dropped his hands to his belly.
“I think I’m going to have to do another 50 sit-ups to take care of that meal.”
Kevin nodded, then looked at Irene. “But it was worth it.”
She smiled at him, thanking him for his compliment with a nod of her head. She stood up, grabbing her plate. “Would anyone like some coffee? Don’t forget we have cake, too.”
“Not yet.” Brian stood as well, reminding her that he still had dishes until the roster changed the next day.
Meredith stood as well, gathering plates. “I’ll help you, Brian. These all need to be washed by hand.”
He grimaced at the thought, but carried them into the kitchen. With two people, it didn’t seem to take very long, and the conversation was filled with talk about family and friends, dreams that came true, and dreams yet to be realized.
He confessed he’d recently broken up with the girlfriend he was “supposed” to marry when he realized everyone wanted it but him. Meredith nodded, agreeing that just because everyone else thought it was a good idea, it wasn’t necessarily a good idea for him.
She confessed that she and her mother had spent several months barely speaking to each other when she’d joined the Navy. It had taken a serious heart-to-heart, and intervention by Irene and their father, to convince her mother that she was doing what she wanted to do. Brian smiled at her and told her he was glad she’d joined.
“I don’t think we would have done as well if we’d gotten Watson.”
“You almost did.” Meredith dried another plate and stacked it on the counter to be returned to the sideboard.
“Really?” He handed her a wineglass to be rinsed and dried.
“CAG and I were the only ones available when you guys finally joined, I looked at the list and knew I couldn’t do that to you guys.”
Brian laughed and wiped his brow, leaving a trail of bubbles across his forehead. “I think the good Lord was definitely looking out for us, then.”
She wiped the bubbles from his head with her towel. “Don’t think I would have heard that earlier this week.”
Meredith turned back to rinsing and drying. Brian was quiet for a few minutes as he continued to wash.
“I guess it’s kinda like being a parent. You have to do things we don’t like to make sure we don’t get hurt. We realized that later, but we didn’t enjoy it then.”
She nodded as she took another plate from him. “Being a CO *is* like being a parent. I may do more things before we’re done that you guys will hate me for, but I won’t ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Fair enough.” He washed the last glass and handed it to her.
“Done.” He let out the water.
She rinsed and dried the glass and set it with the others. “Done.”
They put the china and crystal away, then Brian turned on the dishwasher to wash the pots and pans they put in earlier. The rest of the group was scattered through the house, and Meredith found Irene and Kevin in her office on the computer. Kevin looked up when she walked in, grinning at her.
“I like your background.”
She rolled her eyes. “Blame Irene. She put it up for me. Said she got tired of staring at my Tomcat.”
“Personally, I’d rather look at the Tomcat, too.”
Irene looked at both of them. “I could put up ‘N Sync.”
“I’d just change it.” Kevin and Meredith spoke in unison, causing Irene to giggle.
Kevin ticked the young woman’s sides, causing her to laugh loudly and wiggle to try and escape.
“On that note, I’m going to get my book and go read. ‘Night you two.”
The “goodnight” was interspersed with laughter as the two worked on getting to know each other better.
Meredith walked back to the den and found Howie and Nick watching a movie. “I’m going to read in my room if you guys need me for anything. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight” “’Night” were joined by hand waves as the two never took their eyes off the screen.
She continued down the hall and found AJ and Brian back in the game room, a game of pool just getting started. She managed to get close to them with out either of them realizing it, scaring them slightly.
“Stop doing that!” Brian put a hand down on the ledge of the table, leaning on his cue and closing his eyes.
“Sorry.” The laughter in her voice let him know she was anything but.
“I’m going to read in my room, then probably go to bed. Enjoy your game.”
“Goodnight, Meredith.” Brian smiled at her.
“Goodnight. Sweet dreams.” AJ smiled as well, gazing at her over the top of his glasses.
“And the same to you, AJ. Goodnight, Brian.” She nodded to both before turning and leaving the room, letting the two men return to their game.
Meredith stripped off her clothes as she headed into the bathroom. She couldn’t help laughing when she realized she was still wearing the tiara she’d put on for dinner. Chuckling, she removed it and laid it on the sink before jumping in the shower to get rid of the chlorine from her body. Shampoo, rinse, soap, and she was done, rubbing her body dry with a thick, cotton towel. She combed through her hair and squeezed as much water as she could from the curls. She turned on the hair dry to remove some more of the dampness because she knew once she got started reading, it wouldn’t take long before she’d either get too involved in the book or fall asleep.
Once she felt she’d done enough drying to keep her pillow from becoming sopping wet, Meredith settled into bed and opened her book. Within half an hour, she was asleep.
Table of Contents
Chapter Ten