Relations

"Detective? This gentleman is here to see Miss Giancarlo." Officer Harding escorted an athletically fit, blond man into the waiting room. Sheila rose from her seat...clear across the room from Sam...to greet the visitor.

Abruptly, Stavros ended his most recent, in a never-ending series of, cell phone conversations. He was going to have to work with the skill of a surgeon to resect Giavanna from her cancerous matrimony. But at the moment, his attention swerved to the newcomer. Slightly older, but still a superb physical specimen. A natural blond, Stavros could tell, the man inquiring about Giavanna's well-being was immaculately groomed. Salon cut and style, tailored clothing, manicure...and pedicure. Leather sandals revealed feet and toes the same toasty color as the rest of him. And his cologne...it wafted under Stavros' nose like a light, woodsy aphrodisiac. Why had he not met this man before?

"I am Stavros Mandolastokis." He maneuvered himself close enough to extend a hand in greeting. "A friend of Giavanna's." The Greek accent was heavy, almost lazy with ardor. "And you are?"

A genuine smile split the model's flawless face. Most of the time he pasted on his professional grin, which caused fewer laugh lines, but this Stavros guy was hot. "Michael Riley." He shook the strong, warm hand. "I'm a friend too. Gigi and I take kung-fu classes together and work at the navy base. Is she going to be alright?" Mike couldn't tear his gaze away from the hypnotic sable eyes before him.

Stavros didn't release Mike's hand immediately, but covered it with his other hand as if to comfort the handsome towhead. "With our prayers, she will overcome all of her troubles."

Sheila took a step back, just watching the two men. Okay...did the slimy lawyer just try to pickup the swishy model? Were the two of them gazing at one another like googly-eyed teenagers? Great! Could this day get any stranger?

"Betcha didn't see that coming." Sam whispered close to Sheila's ear. She jumped, startled by his silent advance. He grasped her arm to steady her. "Sorry, detective...didn't mean to spook you."

She yanked away from him. "What is wrong with you? Go away and leave me alone! My job is very serious...Sam." Just saying his name sent a chill over her nerves. Why did he have to be so fuckable? Damn, what a fine-looking man! Just look at all that dark, curly hair and those wild, blue eyes. Body like a brickhouse.

"I'm not keeping you from your job...Sheila. You're just standing here gawking at a couple of gays. Really putting those tax dollars to work aren't you detective?" Sam's pretty eyes taunted. "By the way, do you have anybody out rounding up Gigi's piss-poor excuse of a father?"

Of course she did, but wasn't going to spill a word to this preening creep. "You said Jack was your brother."

"What is it you want to ask me Sheila?" Sam's smile gleamed. He had her. But a woman like this would fight him. All the better. Sam hadn't had a decent challenge in years. What was the gritty detective made of when she got out of those man pants and street shoes?

He had just sized her up as a conquered woman. She saw it in the feral grin that lit up the whole room. Jackass! "I wanted to ask how he got all the charm and good looks and left you with none?" Sheila shrugged hopelessly. "Must be real tough having to follow behind a man like that. But you seem well adjusted. I'll bet you do just fine Sam...in you own special way." She patted his stubble roughened cheek and walked away.

Sam was absolutely tickled. So, she wanted to play that way, huh? Insult him instead of ignore him? Sheila liked to use that cute little heart-shaped mouth of hers? Liked to wield her sharp tongue? Okay. Let the games begin. He glanced at Stavros and Mike, who were still talking quietly. Sam shook his head and couldn't believe those two were closer to getting laid than he was. But he could wait. Sheila might be worth the hassle. She certainly thought she was. Sam 'Mighty' Quinn appreciated a woman whose confidence kept him on his toes...and his knees, and his back.
********************************************
"I'm going to need your help." Jack hustled Sam into the hospital courtyard to assure them some privacy.

"I'm going to need your help." Sam countered, looking like the cat who swallowed the canary. "Why do you think I'm here? I didn't know you were at the hospital till I got waylaid at central com. Your CO told me what happened and I came right over. Shit, almost forgot my original mission."

"Original mission?"

"Commander Paulson wants his prodigal son back in the fold. You're going wheels up in two days!" Sam's delight was clear. It was about fucking time Jack came home.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Jack understood the words, but not in Sam's context.

"Master Chief John James Urgayle," Sam stood at rest, spoke in a mockingly official tone. "I have come to inform you that you have thirty-six hours to organize your affairs at Rock Island Station. You will then accompany Lieutenant Quinn to Coronado to prepare for SEAL team 23's forthcoming mission. Your team's flight form Coronado will depart at 21:00...two days from today." Sam cracked a wide smile and hugged Jack. "Ready to hit the ground running? It's what you've wanted for damn near a year!"

This news sandbagged Jack, to say the least. He took a seat on the bench closest to him and fixed Sam with a contemplative stare. "Now? Now, he wants me back? Why?" This was the worst timing. The twelve remaining recruits were set to graduate in the next week. Those young men held up unflinchingly under the best and worst Jack had to give them. They deserved to graduate, to become SEALs, to take that substantial leap into the beginning of their manhood. Jack wanted to be there.

He also wanted to be someplace far away from Santa Octavia with Gigi. The tentative plan was to send her back to San Diego with Sam for the next ten days. Jack would pick her up after all of his responsibilities had been taken care of at the Rock. He and Gigi went over this course of action and she agreed. Sam would have agreed. From San Diego...Jack was going to take Gigi to his family's ranch in Texas. She said she would go, but was clearly hesitant. Her family was no joy to be around and she wasn't sure if surrounding herself with his, was a good idea. But even staying behind with her uncle wasn't an option. Gigi revealed that he was an invalid, suffering from terminal cancer. Very few people even knew. The Terranova Record label was being run by Gigi, the executive VP and her uncle's image. More reason to get her husband off her back. If uncle Sonny died, the company would be turned over to Gigi, which left everything vulnerable to Andy's greed.

"You don't sound too thrilled, Mack. Isn't this instructor shit the bug that's been up your ass this whole time? What difference does it make when you go back?"

"That's why I needed your help. Gigi. She can't stay here. Her father and her-" Jack paused, exhaled, rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands. "Gigi's got a bad situation. A father who wants her dead and a husband who wants her money."

"Come again?" Sam cocked his head. "Husband? What the fuck? She's married? And when did the two of you get to be inseparable? You never mentioned that you started banging her? You never mentioned her at all, after that night at her club. Why is she so high on your to do list? I mean, I understand that you feel bad because her father is lower than roach turds, but..." He paused when Jack gave him that skull-boring glare. "So, are you banging her?"

"No, I'm not." The answer came in a hostile whisper. "I don't have to fuck her, to help her. That's your M.O. Mighty, not mine. Gigi is someone that...I just...shit!" Jack shook his head in agitation. "I don't know! I like her...more than I thought I did. She's a lot more than what you see. There's a working mind under the beauty. There's a desire to be normal and live a life...for herself, not for her husband, her father or her uncle. She feels like she's lived a thousand years. If you saw the look in her eyes when she said that..." He turned his gaze to the trees. "No, I'm not banging her, Sam." Exhaustion was beginning to eat away at Jack. "I just want Gigi to have a chance to chose what she wants." He paused briefly, measured his next words. "She reminds me of you in a lot of ways, Sam. If you didn't know Gigi, you'd never suspect the kind of shit she's had to deal with just to start from the bottom everyday. Always got that face on. The face the world is supposed to see."

Jack didn't even vaguely mention Sam's alcoholic mother unless he was stressing a very important issue. Yeah, Sam had a fucked up parent too. Had a fucked up childhood and most of his adulthood was marred by his mother. She was dead now and Sam found a way to let his anger go to hell with her.

"You like Gigi that much?" Sam asked, swallowing the old emotions that lodged in his throat.

"Yes, I do."

"You gonna be able to let her go, when all the dust settles?"

"I don't know." Jack finally admitted aloud.

"She's not using you?" Sam already knew the answer. He saw the way Gigi looked at Jack, how she held his hand.

"For what?" Jack scoffed.

"Just asking." Sam shrugged. "Wanted to get that in the open."

"Gigi's been used too much to turn around and hurt somebody else that way. She wouldn't do it consciously. I'm sure of that."

"If that's how you feel about her, then I'm on board." Sam sat next to Jack. "And I've got an idea how we can work everything out. You taking the mission and Gigi getting the fuck out of dodge."
********************************************
"Simply put...you're running off with him." Stavros frowned in disapproval. "A preposterous idea."

"I'm not running off. I'm watching my ass." Gigi refuted. "I'm not safe here. My father had my house blown up, Stavros!"

"If you aren't safe here, what makes you think that Rambo can assure your safety elsewhere?"

"I trust Jack." She stated simply, as if it were all that needed to be said.

Stavros pursed his lips in impatience. "No, you want to sleep with him. That does not equate trust."

She threw him one of Jack's chilling glares. "You are here to handle my divorce. Do that. Jack will not interfere. We spoke about your importance, Stavros. Nothing has changed, except now I know that my father is more of a whack job than I ever imagined. You will always have access to me...despite my physical location."

"And you don't think your man of war is using you, Giavanna?" Stavros sat and crossed his legs. "What has he got to offer you, except co-disbursement responsibilities for alimony and child support? With your money, he could float his first family for life. You are a diamond in the rough to a man like that. Sure, right now he can't do much with you, but what about when you're free of Andy? What about when you are the mistress of Terranova Records? Then you will be priceless...then it will be too late. He will never let you go and you'll become a prisoner again...this time due to your own foolishness."

A heated rush of anger clenched Gigi's jaws and made her nostrils flare. Someone like Stavros would never understand what it was like to look at another person and see...everything, to know...what came next. She wouldn't try to simplify her feelings with petty words that would go in one ear and out the other. He was her divorce attorney, not her therapist or her friend.

"We're done tonight Stavros." She dismissed him coolly. "I'll call you tomorrow and we can go over any documents I need to review or sign before I leave."

"You are the boss." He replied stiffly. "Just be on you guard with the detective. Whether her relationship with your Master Chief is still intimate or not, is moot. She still covets him and you are taking him away. You ladies watch your claws. Goodnight."

********************************************
"Master Chief! Master Chief!"

Jack inwardly groaned. Yes, he heard that one was here. Mike Riley half skipped, half pranced down the hall. He was hoping that his gruff demeanor would keep this particular assistant of Lee's at bay. No such luck. No luck today at all...except for Gigi being alive.

"Master Chief! How are you? You're okay?" Mike prattled, giving Jack a brief once over. "I saw Gigi. She told me you rescued her from that explosion. You're so brave. Are you injured? Should you even be walking around? Here." He handed Jack an envelope. "I really have to go. I just wanted to wish you well and thank you for what you did for Gigi. She's such a sweetie. The others will be able to come see her tomorrow. Take care."

Clearly surprised, Jack took the envelope and gawked at Mike. The other man was at the elevators before he snapped out of his stupor. "Uhhh...thanks, Mike."

Jack wasn't sure Mike heard him because the other man was turning to speak to someone who walked up behind him. As the two got on the elevator, Jack saw Stavros and the male model together. Possessively, but furtively, Stavros dropped his hand to the other man's ass and gave a firm squeeze. An attack of laughter seized Jack right where he stood. This had to be one of the strangest days of his life! Gigi's straight-laced attorney was gay? Not such a tight-ass after all.
*********************************************
"I know it's been a stressful day, Miss Giancarlo." Sheila finally got her turn to talk to Gigi. "I'll try to make this preliminary interview as brief as possible."

Gigi nodded, then yawned. "Preliminary? Can't we do everything at once?"

"I'm afraid not. Too many complications. When crimes allegedly involve family members...not much goes by the book."

"Right. You have questions about my father?" Gigi was ready to get this over with.

Sheila removed her voice recorder from her pants pocket and laid it next to Gigi's bed. Her questioning began simply, but progressed to more personal and private matters. Sheila was impressed by the young woman's composure. Gigi was honest, plainspoken and clear-thinking. The was no sign of deception in her mannerisms and she always remained polite. Most people lost their cool with the police during questioning, even if they had nothing to hide. Interrogations automatically made people nervous, shifty.

When Sheila clicked off the recorder, she prepared to leave, but hesitated at the door. "You've probably already talked to Jack about this, but I just want to add my side. He and I...we met that night at Studio Z. I hit on him as soon as he walked in, but he was looking for you. Later on, when you were with Stavros, I thought Jack was going to flip. I stuck my nose in and...you know the rest from there. Nothing ever happened between us. I haven't seen him since...until today."

"Thank you, Sheila. That's ... gracious of you. But, how did you end up on this case?"

She shrugged. "I was next on the board. My turn to do some work and I come face to face with you, Jack and Stavros. You all probably though I was a tramp that night you met me. Not a great first impression, especially for a female detective. Just so you know, despite Jack's outbursts-"

Gigi waved her off. "I know you're working, not just hanging out at the hospital, doing nothing. He's just uptight...had some diarrhea of the mouth. You've got to wonder about the minds of men sometimes, right?"

Sheila shared a knowing chuckle with Gigi. "Yeah...I wonder about their minds too. Try to get some rest. Two of my officers will remain outside your room all night."

"Thanks." A sadness dimmed her eyes. "I wish that wasn't necessary, but thanks."

Sheila's gaze dropped to the floor. Poor kid. "Goodnight, Gigi."
*********************************************
When Jack got back to Gigi's room, she had fallen asleep. She was waiting for him, reading the magazine that lay open on her lap. All the lights were glaring in her face, so he dimmed the room and slumped into the chair next to her bed. He just gazed at Gigi while she slept. This was how he wanted her to be...without a care in the world, relaxed and open. Sam asked if he would be able to let her go. If that's what Gigi wanted, he would have to. What could come of things between them? She was going to be running a record company in San Francisco and he was going back to his team in Coronado. A seventeen year age gap separated them. Jack had an ex-wife behind him and a daughter he hardly saw. Gigi had her whole life in front of her. They didn't want the same things...at least in the long run. He didn't want another empty affair...not with Gigi.

Only today did Jack let the full thought come to him and circulate in his mind. Yes, Gigi was unbelievably gorgeous and sexy and he wanted her. And Jack wasn't a dirty old cradle robber...he was an attentive and passionate lover...with the right woman, would do anything to please someone he cared for. He cared for Gigi...he didn't just like her. This whole day brought that knowledge to the forefront. And how did Gigi feel? She wasn't a hero-worshipper, thank God. That would kill Jack, but she was still too young to see that a mutual attraction didn't equal bliss...even if the attraction was only partly physical. Gigi would have him, in her life, in her bed...but what happened when they stopped running and came back to reality? Could he let her go?

Her eyes fluttered open to a darkened room. Who turned off the lights? Gigi turned her head to find Jack sitting on the other side of her bed. He was reading one of the books she had given him. "I Must Go Down to the Seas Again." The book of nautical poetry and drawings. Sam had gone to Jack's condo to get him some clothes and something to read.

"Hiya sailor." She greeted groggily.

"Hey," He laid the book down and moved closer. "Your first nap today?"

"Yes. I was waiting for you." Gigi turned over on her side and grinned at him. Jack needed some sleep himself. He'd been on the go all day. "Where you been?"

"Some things have changed. My platoon commander sent Sam to retrieve me...for an mission. I'm going back...in two days. I want you to come with me, but to stay at my house in San Diego. A few of my teammates are going to take care of you while I'm gone. I trust these men, Gigi." Jack brushed her hair off her face. "I would never leave you in danger. They will protect you with their lives. To them, you're a part of me and we're a loyal bunch. We take care of our own."

"A mission?" She nodded numbly. "I guess you can't say much about it, but how long will you be gone? Is it very dangerous? Do you know where you're going?"

He smiled at the volley of questions. "I can only say that you don't need to worry. It's a cakewalk...just to see if I'm up to the task of being part of the team again." Gigi only knew that his instructor gig was temporary, had heard that through the grapevine. Jack himself, told her that he had been 'wounded' the last time he was in the field and was on a recuperation assignment in Santa Octavia. "I won't be gone for more than a few days...I promise." He stroked her cheek, her chin, traced the shell of her ear with a fingertip. He never promised anyone that he was coming home, no matter how trivial the operation was. This time, Jack made the promise. Gigi needed that assurance...just this once.

"Then I believe you." She wasn't going to hound him about it. Jack's promise was enough. "You like the book?"

"I love it." Jack's drawl was soft in his hushed voice. "I love them all, but this one, is..." He flipped through the pages, glancing at the illustrations. "This book is amazing."

"Read to me." Gigi settled her head on her pillow. "Which is your favorite?"

"Sea Fever. It starts off with the title of the book." In a feathery caress of a tone Jack read:

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky
and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
and the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
and a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
and all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
and the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
to the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
and all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
and quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
It's always been one of my favorites. It's by John Masefield."

"I like listening to you. You're soothing." She reached out to finger the cleft in his chin, to stroke his mustache, to follow the line of the scar on his top lip. "How did you get that scar?"

Jack chuckled at the memory. "Messing around with my brother, Perry."

"How old were you?"

"Fourteen or fifteen."

"Perry's younger?"

He nodded. "By three years."

"Tell me what happened. It made you laugh. It's funny now?"

"It is. We were playing around, wrestling...then it turned into shoving and punching. Perry grabbed up a stick he found in the grass and swung at me blind. Hit me right in the mouth. Knocked me on my ass." Jack laughed again. "He thought he killed me, I laid there so long."

Gigi shuddered at the thought of getting clocked in the mouth with a stick. Guys could eventually get a kick out of things like that. Women...would be pissed forever. "Is your brother big like you?"

Jack shook his head. "No. Perry's the skinny one. He needed that stick. You'll get to meet him. He's a doctor now, but still a pain in the ass. The clown of the family."

"Really? I thought that would have been you." Gigi teased him.

"You're very funny." He commented drolly. "You might want to stick to just being beautiful."

She smacked one of his brawny arms. "Jerk!"

Laughing, Jack caught Gigi's flailing hand and drew her closer to him. Before he even had the chance to doubt what he was doing, he was kissing her.