Aj Chegwidden This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Vignette - JAG 2015 - DejaVu

   www.jagfanfesteast.com/2005jff - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/4/2004   Last Visited: 8/3/2005

   After his retirement, AJ had spent the summer touring all of the country's major ballparks with his daughter, Francesca. It had been a wonderful, magical summer, as they really got to know each other and established themselves firmly as friends as well as father and daughter. Unbelievably, the "summer" had ended in October - not in Boston, but in St. Louis - as they had watched the historic end of "The Curse." The Boston Red Sox had beaten the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling World Series. AJ had been sorry to see Francesca go back to Italy, but he had been content, knowing that their relationship was strong, and they would remain in contact with each other. For a while, he had drifted aimlessly, not knowing quite what he wanted to do with himself. AJ Chegwidden was not "good at liberty," as he'd told his people a few years earlier. Inactivity just did not suit him. Some of his buddies traveled a lot in their retirement, but AJ didn't care for that either. Not that he disliked traveling . . . he just didn't like constantly moving from place to place. He'd stumbled into his new "career" quite by accident. A small article in the local newspaper detailed a sad human-interest story about a very elderly widow who had mistakenly received Navy payments meant for a deceased veteran of the same name. She was a former WAVE who had served a few years in the Navy as a nurse during World War II. Being a veteran, she didn't question the payments and gratefully cashed the checks. It hadn't been a huge amount of money - about $9,000 received over a couple of years - but the Navy had finally discovered the error and wanted its money back. They were threatening to garnish her meager Social Security allotment if she didn't come up with the funds. The woman barely had enough to live on as it was. She was terrified and desperate and getting nowhere with the Navy. . . and she reminded AJ a lot of his own dearly departed mother. So, the former JAG had stepped in and offered to represent the woman free of charge in dealing with the Navy. Naturally, the press got hold of the story and had a field day with it, and before long, AJ had his hands full representing veterans - mostly elderly - who were having difficulty navigating the bureaucracy that was the modern military. Fortunately, AJ didn't need money - he'd always been a frugal man, and he had saved and invested wisely - so he could afford to do the work at no cost or at a very low cost to those who were too proud to accept "charity."
   ...
   AJ was a man of few words, but Cresswell said even less.
   ...
   While AJ had made the reporters think, Cresswell just made them feel they were getting the brush-off.
   ...
   As the SECNAV had told Cresswell in the beginning, AJ's press conferences were legendary, and this was the only area in which the new JAG fell short of what was needed.
   ...
   So, AJ had been brought out of retirement by Secretary of the Navy Edward Sheffield to act as the Navy's equivalent of the White House press secretary. It was not something AJ would have wished for, but when duty called, AJ answered . . . and got his third star in the process. Now, the war was finally really and truly over, the troops were coming home, and Vice Admiral AJ Chegwidden was again retiring from the Navy. This time, he opted for a small reception in the house he and his wife had bought shortly after their marriage. As he looked around the room, he couldn't help a feeling of satisfaction. Life had been good to him. He'd had his share of ups and downs, but he'd made some good friends, had loved and been loved, had served his country honorably, and had helped a lot of people along the way. "Not too shabby," he thought to himself. "Oh, sir, it's so hard to say goodbye again," murmured Harriet Roberts, as she walked up to AJ, her husband, Bud, in tow. AJ smiled fondly at her. He had taken an interest in Bud and Harriet that went beyond strictly professional - he thought of them almost as two more of his children. His new careers had kept him in contact with many of the people he thought he'd left behind ten years ago, and that alone would have been enough to make him grateful for the way things turned out. Ignoring military protocol, AJ bent down and hugged the petite blond. "It's not goodbye,'" AJ said. "I promised my namesake a recommendation to the Naval Academy, and I intend to keep that promise. So I'll need to keep an eye on his progress . . . make sure he's fit for the Academy." "You do that, sir. Thank you." AJ watched as Bud and Harriet moved off to mingle with the other guests.
   ...
   Bud had never risen above the rank of Lieutenant Commander that AJ had gotten for him as his last official act as JAG, but he had done well anyway. He was now Major General Cresswell's Chief of Staff and had made himself indispensable around JAG HQ. They had stopped at four very active children who kept Harriet busy. The oldest had been named after A.J. He was now 15 and planning to enter the Naval Academy when he graduated from high school. Little AJ had been quite a handful when he was younger, resenting each new child as they entered the household, but AJ had been able to reach him when others couldn't. They'd formed a strong bond over the years, and Little AJ had paid him the ultimate compliment by declaring that he wished to become a SEAL (much to his mother's dismay).
   ...
   AJ was perhaps most proud of Tiner. His former yeoman had graduated from law school and Officers' Candidate School and was now a full lieutenant. AJ had lost track of him for a while, as he'd done his tours of duty on shipboard and then at various offices around the world before ending up back where he'd started - at JAG HQ. "I don't think you've met my wife, Carol, sir." Tiner turned slightly to introduce the lovely - and very pregnant - young woman standing next to him. "Honey, this is Admiral Chegwidden," Tiner said. "He's the man who inspired me to become a lawyer." Carol smiled warmly at him. They made small talk for a few minutes and then wandered off to find a chair for her. General Cresswell walked up to stand with AJ.
   ...
   The two had gotten to be friends after AJ was pulled out of retirement.
   ...
   AJ really admired the fact that Biff never held it against him that AJ had been brought back basically to take over one aspect of his job.
   ...
   "Turner sends his regrets, AJ," Biff said. "He really wanted to be here, but he just couldn't get back." "I know," AJ replied. "He called earlier this evening." Sturgis Turner had surprised everyone several years back when he had announced that he had been taking seminary classes in the evenings and was graduating. He changed his designator to chaplain, following in his father's footsteps, and was currently stationed overseas in a Middle Eastern hotspot. Sturgis had tried to get leave to return home for AJ's retirement, but things had erupted, and unfortunately, he'd been sorely needed where he was. AJ's eyes turned misty as he thought of the others who weren't here.
   ...
   AJ smiled to think of how far she'd come since he'd first met her and made a mental note to pick up a nice baby gift and visit her in a few days. Thinking of Jen reminded AJ of something.
   ...
   "I swear, AJ, the kid can't be more than 12 years old. He's like a damn puppy dog - follows me everywhere, jumps up every time I so much as glance in his direction. Makes me nervous." Biff sighed deeply. "Were we ever that young, AJ?" AJ chuckled and clapped his friend on the shoulder in sympathy, but before he could say anything, Harm called out for silence. Everyone turned their attention to the still-handsome sailor, who held up a glass in a toast. "To AJ Chegwidden - a great leader . . . a great friend . . . a great man. Fair winds and following seas, sir." As the others raised their glasses with cries of "hear, hear," AJ looked around the room, memorizing the faces of these people who were so dear to him. He didn't know what life had in store for him next, but he certainly couldn't complain about what it had brought him so far.

2. 2. www.daenarsjagfanfiction.com

   www.daenarsjagfanfiction.com/f - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/8/2006   Last Visited: 6/29/2007

   Chegwidden (Part III of the 'Carnival' Series)
   ...
   "Sir Albert, Sir Tyler, cross your swords," Admiral Chegwidden ceremoniously proclaimed. Harm and Sturgis came to stand nose to nose so that AJ and Tyler could make the long cardboard tubes touch that they were using as swords.
   ...
   "Prepare," Chegwidden shouted, raising his arm. "May the best win! Attack!" With that, he let his arm come down quickly, signal for Fred to get down the flag and for Bud to honk the horn.
   
   Harm tried not to wince as he once again felt little AJ's heels make rough contact with his sides. Instead he lowered his head a little and galloped in Sturgis' direction, seeing him come towards him as well. As they were passing each other, a soft 'cloc' indicated that the cardboard tubes had found their targets, while a flash and a humming sound were a sure sign that Bud had managed to capture the crucial moment on celluloid. Harm and Sturgis came to a halt on their adversaries' starting positions. Harm felt a drop of sweat trickle slowly down his forehead, hoping it wouldn't directly make its way into his eyes because he couldn't wipe it away.
   ...
   His vision slightly blurry, Harm galloped a little off track, making little AJ miss Tyler's weapon and instead giving Tyler the opportunity to pat AJ on the back with his cardboard tube.
   ...
   AJ seemed to consider the advice. Finally, his face lit up.
   ...
   AJ had made up his mind.
   ...
   "Boy, I'm getting way too old for this," Admiral Chegwidden sighed and pressed a hand to the small of his back. He and Fred had had to play horse during the first three rounds as well until their riders had dropped out of the competition. AJ felt every single muscle in his body but his beaming face and the twinkle in his eyes belied his complaint: he was having the greatest time. When Harriet had called and invited him to help with his little namesake's carnival party he'd instantly agreed, at the same time feeling a slight pang at the thought that he should have done those kind of things with his own family, not that of one of his officers. But he had quickly consoled himself. 'JAG is my family. They're all my kids, and even when they call me 'sir', it somehow feels like 'dad'. So don't be sorry for yourself, Chegwidden, you have all the family you could want to have.'
   
   AJ watched as Bud walked over and took little Mikey from Mac's lap. Family life had never worked out for him. He and Marcella were too different. AJ had been young and ambitious, trying to advance his career, and although he'd hated to do so, he'd had to leave her and Francesca by themselves far too often. But he had thought that, once he'd established a decent professional life, it would become the basis for a happy family. What AJ hadn't expected was that, by that time, he'd have lost his wife. Not to another man but to an increasing despair that had built up in her because of him, the man who always left her alone. Francesca hardly knew him when he and Marcella finally split. And until many, many years later, AJ hadn't known that Marcella would have wanted him to come back until she had finally drawn the line and remarried.
   
   There had been other women in AJ's life, of course, after his failed marriage. But he had never come close to thinking about a family again, except for once ... AJ quickly banished the memory from his conscious.
   ...
   "It's okay, Harriet," AJ shouted back, laughing, "Maybe you could bring me a cup to the children's table.
   ...
   AJ let himself be dragged towards the crowd of kids that were eager to listen. Sitting down on little AJ's chair and taking his namesake to his lap, the admiral grinned at the expectant children.
   ...
   Mac watched with a content smile as the children began to ask questions that AJ readily answered. Little AJ beamed with pride about his Uncle, the Admiral. After a few moments, Mac decided to turn her attention back to the conversation between the adults.
   ...
   A moment later, AJ called out to them: "Could anybody just take over with the kids for a moment, please?"
   
   "Sure, sir." Harm rose and took his godson from the admiral who lunged into his pocket and, pulling out his cell-phone, quickly left the room.
   
   "So, guys," Harm faced ten disappointed faces, "What did the admiral tell you? Maybe I can finish it until he comes back."
   
   Closing the kitchen door behind him, AJ flipped his cell-phone open without glancing at the display. "Chegwidden."
   ...
   AJ simply waited for her to go on. "AJ, I ... there's something I need to show you. It scares me and I don't know what to make of it."
   
   He could hear highway noises through the receiver. "Where are you?" he asked warily.
   
   "I'm calling from a phone booth somewhere off the Beltway. I'm on my way home now.
   ...
   AJ frowned. He didn't really want to see her, especially as it probably had something to do with her darling Danny, who'd probably gotten into trouble again. But he still was too much of a gentleman to reject a plea for help. "Uhm ... sure.
   ...
   For a minute, AJ just stared at his cell-phone, puzzled. Then, sighing, he snapped it shut and returned to join the others.
   
   "Uhm ... " he cleared his throat.
   ...
   AJ smiled.
   ...
   "Mac? This is Chegwidden." His voice was low, guarded and somewhat strained.
   ...
   AJ was already sitting in the small interrogation room when they entered. Mac was shocked when she saw his face. His expression had lost the aura of unperturbed calm and control that it normally held. AJ somehow looked haunted and ... vulnerable. Neither of the Rabbs had ever seen their CO like this.
   
   "Admiral ... " Mac instantly walked up to him and as he rose to greet her, gentleman to the last, she hugged him tightly, hesitating only for the briefest moment, causing him to jump slightly in surprise. Harm just stepped close to them and silently placed his hand on AJ's shoulder.
   
   AJ briefly closed his eyes. He had felt very lonely when he had first been asked if he wanted to inform his family that he had been arrested. "No, just my lawyers," he had answered. The Rabbs' reaction upon seeing him had reassured him that he did indeed have a family, sort of. Right now, this knowledge caused enormous relief. Clearing his throat, AJ after a few moments drew back from Mac's embrace and stated in an overly gruff voice: "Now, Colonel, you don't even know if I'm guilty or not."
   
   Mac knew he had meant it to be an embarrassed joke but nevertheless she earnestly looked at him. "You're not."
   
   "Well, right. Good intuition." AJ rumbled on, confusedly looking around as if to search for chairs that he could offer to his officers.
   
   Harm decided to help his CO keep his countenance and get into the matter. He pulled up a chair for his wife and helped Mac sit down before lowering himself onto another chair after AJ had again taken his seat at the other side of the small table. "What exactly happened, sir?"
   
   AJ studied his hands as if in deep thought. It took him a full minute to respond. Harm felt Mac's cold hand clench his fingers. They waited.
   
   "You remember that call I received at the Roberts'?" AJ finally looked up to meet his officers' worried glances.
   ...
   AJ paused and with his right hand wiped his face, sighing. "I was ... " looking down, he let out a sad chuckle before facing his friends again with a gruff helpless half-grin. "You can imagine that I was rather surprised."
   
   "I guess," Mac answered with a warm smile. Harm silently returned AJ's grin, never letting go of Mac's hand.
   
   "Well," AJ went on, almost matter-of-factly.
   ...
   "Her." AJ's voice was tight and he stared right through Mac's glance, not seeing anything.
   ...
   AJ had shaken himself from his state of haze and regained his usual gruffness.
   ...
   It was obvious that AJ had no delusions about his present status as the primary suspect, given all the evidence against him.
   
   "Do you have any idea what Dr. Walden could have wanted to tell you, sir?" Harm asked.
   
   AJ frowned. "None whatsoever. I can only assume it had something to do with Darling Danny."
   
   "We'll get into the matter first thing in the morning, sir," Mac

3. 3. Aces Wild

   www.capitalcitycollaborations. - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/14/2003   Last Visited: 6/18/2005

   any problems but now something was ringing awfully strange to Admiral AJ
   ...
   "At ease, please have a seat and give me a report," Aj said in his usual tone
   ...
   "Yes Mr. Webb will be accompanying you," Aj Chegwidden supplied in a voice
   ...
   "We found out the truth," AJ replied, "Mac's father is clear."
   
   "We know," Harm replied.
   
   "I figured as much," AJ answered, "However we also came because Musokino is
   ...
   team we've got and that still stands," AJ said.
   
   Mac said good-bye to her father and promised to keep in touch and she took
   
   her last limo ride with her friends to the airport.
   
   "We'll go back soon I promise," Harm said as he and Mac lay awake in the
   
   middle of the night in his apartment. Then he kissed her again and they