74"Then, maybe, after dinner we can have that discussion we 'tabled' at the hospital?"
(Wow, he brought it up himself, I'm impressed.)"Absolutely, if you're ready, so am I."
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"All done eating, Marine? Or would you like thirds?"
"Hmmm, no, I'm good for now. I believe we have a dicussion to untable."
"Ok, how do you want to do this?"
"How about we take turns. Ask whatever questions we've always wanted to and for whatever reason, didn't."
"Good with me. You can ask first, if you like."
"Why'd you turn me down in Sydney?"
"Wow, right to the point. Ok. I didn't turn you down, Mac. I swear that's not what I was doing. I just needed more time. I mean, everything was just so screwed up at that time. I had just lost my dream of flying, for a second time, you and I weren't getting along particularly well, I felt like the Prodigal Son of JAG. I left for what was supposed to be greener pastures and found a barren desert. If I'd taken you up on your offer, we wouldn't have made it, I know we wouldn't. I'd just have been another in a long list of guys who were bad for you, another bad choice for you to regret."
"So, why didn't you just say that?"
"Ah, ah, marine. My turn, that can be your next question. For my question, since we're on the subject of Sydney, Why? Why did you take his ring? I have to know."
"That's probably the easiest question tonight. I wnated what he was offering. Marriage, home, 2.5 kids, the works. I would have prferred to have all that with you, but, I thought you were rejecting me. How's that song go? If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with. I loved Mic, but I wasn't in love with him. That honor belonged to you. My turn. Why didn't you just explain your reasons on the ferry?"
"Ego, arrogance, pride. It was sort of hard to admit that I would have been bad for you after everything I had thought, said and done when you were with other guys. My words and actions previously didn't leave much room to lump myself in with them."
"Harm. I'm going to tell you this once, and once only. You could never be bad for me. Never. You make me better than I ever thought I could be. As long as you're in my life, I know I can face whatever is in my way, nobody has ever had my back the way you do. So, that said, if your ego ever gets in our way again, I will kick your six. So, next question?"
"You said a minute ago that you weren't in love with Mic, you were in love with me. Are you still in love with me?"
"Yes."
"No conditions, just 'yes'?"
"Yes. I could no more stop loving you than I could stop the Sun, planets, or stars. I love you. But, I need to know how you feel about me."
"I don't just love you, I need you, I want you, hell, half the reason I get up and come to work everyday is to see you. If I don't, my day feels incomplete and I feel physical pain. I literally suffer withdrawal if I don't have you near me for any length of time."
"Well, then. I do have one last question...What are you gonna do about it?"
"Is that a question or an offer? 'Cause if it's an offer, I'm going to take you up on it, if it's really a question, I'm going to make you an offer."
"Hmmm, in that case, it's a question. What's the offer?"
(Good, she took the bait.)"The offer is simple, you say yes to my next, shall we call it a plea bargain, and I give you your reward. And, before you ask, yes you will like the reward."
"So, all I have to do is say yes. What's the plea?"
"Ah, ah. You have to say 'Yes' first."
"Harm, I'm a lawyer. I never agree to anything without reading the fine print. What's the plea?"
"Nope. I guess you don't want your reward. Damn, and it's a good one too. You'd really like it."
"Alright, alright. Yes. Are you happy now?"
"Not yet, but I'm getting there. Here's the deal.
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