Title: All Good Things
Characters: Father Mulcahy/Gail Harris
Summary: Reunited with an old friend from the 4077th, Father Mulcahy is faced with a difficult decision.

Author's Note: Sorry this chapter is so long overdue. I finally had a bit of inspiration with it. - RW

Gail had requested a couple of weeks off from her rotations after profusely apologizing to both the chief of staff and the patient about her error. While John made preparations for their trip to Pennsylvania, Gail busied herself with moving more of her belongings to his apartment. Now that they were married—in whatever capacity that meant—Gail had no intentions of living apart from her new husband, and John was all but happy to have her staying with him. For appearances sake, Gail would keep her room at Sherri's with minimal personal items in case her parents did decide to make another visit.

As they packed their suitcases the night before their trip, Gail questioned John relentlessly about his family, wanting to know everything possible about his siblings and his parents. He had to laugh at her enthusiasm, but he also felt somewhat ill-at-ease when it came to his parents.

"Gail," he said delicately, taking her hands and sitting on the edge of the bed with her. "I'm…thrilled…that you're excited to meet my parents, but I don't want you to get your hopes up about them. My parents are very different from yours, and while I love them dearly, they tend to be very…critical at times. I worry that they may disappoint you."

"I promise not to let them hurt my feelings," Gail teased. "But, they are your parents and I'm looking forward to seeing them either way. And also Kathy."

"Not as much as Kathy is looking forward to meeting you," John laughed.

When the plane touched down in Philadelphia, Gail's excitement had turned to nervousness and she fussed with her hair and straightening her clothes as they made their way off the plane. John took her hand to keep her from fidgeting. "You look wonderful."

She offered a coy smile. "You're bias."

"Francis!" A woman called and John looked up to see his sister the Sister waving at them with her arm high above her head.

"There's Kathy," John told Gail as he waved back at his sister to acknowledge he'd seen her. He heard Gail take a deep breath beside him and he squeezed her hand as he led her over to where Kathy was waiting.

"Oh, Francis," Kathy immediately enveloped him into a hug. "It's only been a few months since I last saw you, but it feels like a year! This must be Gail; I'd recognize that pretty face anywhere. It's so nice to finally meet you. Francis has told me so much about you, I feel like I know you already."

Gail laughed softly as Kathy pulled her into a hug next. "Likewise. I'm so happy to meet you, Kathy."

"Mother's making supper for everyone tonight, Francis," Kathy told him. "She's instructed me to bring you and Gail over straight away."

"Oh," John sounded almost disappointed but nodded. "Very well. Let me get our bags."

As John wandered off, Kathy picked up Gail's hands and inspected her fingers. "Hmm. No ring. I thought surely he would have proposed by now."

Gail blushed, not sure whether or not she should confide their secret in Kathy. She decided a half-truth couldn't hurt. "Oh…he has. And I accepted of course."

Kathy beamed. "Well, tomorrow we'll go to the shops and I'll drop some heavy hints that he should get you a ring."

"Really, Kathy, it's alright. I don't need a ring so long as I've got John." She leaned in conspiratorially, "Not that I wouldn't love something to flash around back home."

The two girls snickered and John returned with their luggage. "I believe that's everything. Have you got the car, sis, or shall I hail us a cab?"

"I was able to get the car," Kathy nodded, then looked at Gail. "The church owns a car that we are able to use for personal errands. They're still so very fond of Francis, and when they heard he was coming to town, they were only too glad to let me use it for the duration of your stay."

"That's very kind of them." Gail smiled.

"And you," Kathy said, playfully hitting John across the stomach. "Why didn't you tell me over the phone that proposed?"

John looked sideways at Gail, who was wearing a sheepish expression, but he couldn't help but smile broadly. "Seemed like news best shared in person."

"Indeed," Kathy smiled. "Come on, little brother, let's get you to over to mother's."

John and Gail listened as Kathy told them about current events in Philadelphia as they rode across town. Gail was amused by how well John and Kathy seemed to get on, often finishing each other's thoughts and even managing to communicate in half-finished sentences. Though it made following their conversation hard to follow, Gail loved the bond they seemed to share.

"It's like you two share a brain," she laughed. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were twins."

"Francis and I have always been close," Kathy said from the driver's seat. "We spent quite a lot of time together as children, being the youngest. Though I'm just a few years older, I sometimes feel like I helped raise him in some ways."

"I can't imagine what life might have been like without Kathy," John smiled at his sister.

The car pulled up alongside an older apartment building and John sighed heavily. "Here we go, I suppose."

"Mother will be happy to see you," Kathy assured him, though Gail noticed she said nothing about his father.

They left their bags in the car and rode in the elevator to the 5th floor. John could feel his stomach knotting with nerves. It had been quite some time since he'd seen his parents, and, like he'd told Gail, they were often quite critical of him. He didn't doubt this visit would prove to be much different, but he hoped with all his heart that they wouldn't be critical of his wife. He wasn't sure he could tolerate that.

As the three of them waited in front of the door to apartment 5D, John linked his hand with Gail's, lacing his fingers between hers. Gail had known he wasn't thrilled about seeing his parents, but to see him so obviously uncomfortable concerned her. She gave his hand a light squeeze and he graced her with a soft smile just before the door opened to reveal an older woman with graying hair that was swept up in an attempt to look stylish. She was wearing a dark blue dress with a white kitchen apron, and when she smiled, Gail could see a smear of lipstick on her teeth.

Immediately, she adored this woman.

"Johnny," May Mulcahy held her arms open to her son, her blue eyes swimming with unshed tears. John pulled his hand free of Gail's and stepped into his mother's warm embrace. Gail watched him enfold his mother easily into arms, his eyes closing for a fraction of a second and he was enveloped by his mother's love in return.

"Mother," he said very softly before pulling back.

She cupped his face, still trying to contain her tears. "How I've missed your dear, sweet face."

"Mother," John said again with a soft smile. "I'd like you to meet Gail Harris, my…fiancée."

Gail felt her heart leap at John's slight pause, knowing he'd nearly just introduced her as his wife. She barely had time to consider it though, as May turned her attention on Gail, and—just as Kathy had done—hugged her somewhat fiercely.

"Of all my children, I think this is the happiest I've been at hearing of an impending wedding." May confessed. "It's so nice to meet you, dear. Please, won't you all come in? Kathy, darling, I've got a kettle on for tea, would you mind?"

"Of course not, mother." Kathy smiled at Gail and shuffled passed them through the apartment. Gail heard her murmur "Hi Daddy" and looked past John's mother to see an elder man standing in the middle of the living room, watching the scene with apathetic eyes. Gail suddenly felt some of John's tension creep up inside of her. John seemed to notice his father as well and Gail could feel him stiffen slightly beside her before he stepped around his mother.

"Father." He greeted neutrally. The two men shook hands, but Rowan Mulcahy lacked any warmth or affection at the sight of his son.

"Francis." Rowan returned. "So, this is the girl who made you leave the church, eh?"

John bristled. "The decision to leave was mine. It was a decision I knew was right, despite my affection for Gail."

Gail felt a swell of pride as she listened to John defend her. Though his voice was calm, she could hear the underlying anger causing just a slight quake. Timidly, she spoke up. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Mulcahy."

Rowan's eyes swung over to Gail, giving her an appraising look.

"Oh, knock it off, Ro." May scoffed bitterly, before taking Gail's arm and gently leading her towards the kitchen. "How about some tea, dear? I want to hear all about you."

John watched the two women go towards the kitchen as he and his father stood toe-to-toe in the living room. His father's expression had soured as May had called him off, but he went to his chair and sat down. John knew it was silent invitation to join his father and have a calmer discussion with him. He sat on the couch and folded his hands over his knees as he waited for his dad to speak.

"So, you're gonna teach now, that right?"

"Yes, sir. At Loyola University in Chicago. I'll be teaching religious studies."

"No one better than a priest to teach that, I suppose." Rowan worked off the cap of a beer bottle and offered it to John, who shook his head. "So, where'd you meet the girl?"

"Gail." John reminded his father. "We met in Korea. We were stationed together at the MASH unit where I served as chaplain. She was a nurse."

"Nurse, huh? What's she doin' now?"

"Studying to be a doctor. She's quite brilliant, one of a few women in her medical program."

"You talk about kids yet? There's no woman that can work and raise a child."

John felt himself pale at the mention of children. In between all the plans and packing and traveling, he had nearly forgotten about the possibility that Gail might already be pregnant. He could feel sweat breaking out on his forehead as the thoughts came swirling back up. He still couldn't imagine what they would do if she was pregnant, but—like he'd told Gail—they would make it work somehow. His answer, however, revealed none of his panic.

"Things are different now than they were 30 years ago, Dad. If Gail wishes to work and raise a child, then I will not stop her. If she chooses to stay home, then I will support her."

"Only thing that's changed is everything is more expensive." Rowan grouched. "How much you gettin' paid anyhow?"

John managed to steer the conversation away from money—a subject Rowan had always been obsessed with—and the two managed to have a decent chat about what John's brothers were up to and other family business that he had not made himself privy to since before the war. He could hear his mother, sister and Gail talking and laughing in the kitchen, and wished that he could join them, but peaceable time with his father was hard to come by.

By the time they had all settled around the table to eat, Gail seemed to be right at home in Mrs. Mulcahy's kitchen. She helped carry in some of the food, despite May's insistence that she was a guest. John smiled fondly at his wife, pleased that she did not seem to be disenchanted by his family.

"Johnny, would you say grace?"

"Of course, Mother." The family joined hands around the table and bowed their heads, waiting for John to bless the meal. "Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

"Let's eat." Rowan said as he reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes.

"Your mother and sister are wonderful, John." Gail confessed later that evening after they'd checked into their room and were getting settled in.

"Yes, I knew you would have no quarrels with Kathy and my mother. It's my father I was truly concerned about." John admitted quietly. "He can be quite…"

"Insensitive?" Gail supplied when John's voice trailed off in search of an appropriate adjective.

John looked over at her, laughing softly. "Precisely. I hope you weren't offended."

"Maybe a little," Gail said meekly. "But I still like him well enough. You did warn me, so it wasn't surprising. I think I'm going to make it my mission to get him to like me before we go home."

John took Gail's hands and pulled her against him. "I fail to see how anyone could not like you."

"Oh, I think you'd be surprised." Gail said with a tone of teasing.

John laughed and kissed her forehead. Gail's hands slid up the length of his torso and rested against his chest as she looked up at him with large brown eyes that sparkled even in the dingy light of the motel room lamp. John felt the pull of arousal deep within him as he looked down at her.

"Make love to me, Johnny." She requested breathlessly, searching his eyes.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, his eyes sliding closed as he welcomed in the rush of pleasure that accompanied the feel of her kiss. Her lips parted against his and her tongue caressed his bottom lip. John moaned softly at the sweet ache in his loins as the front of his trousers grew tight around his growing erection. He cupped her face as he deepened the kiss passionately.

Gail's hand traveled back down the length of his body and she lovingly squeezed the bulge in his trousers, making him groan into her mouth. It thrilled her to know that she excited him—this man, this former priest—and it still made her feel oh so naughty. Bringing her other hand down, Gail slowly unbuckled John's belt and worked open the fly of his trousers until she could slip her hand inside to fully grasp him.

"Gail…" he groaned softly, pulling away from the kiss to claim her neck as his hands went around her to unzip the back of her dress.

"No," she breathed heavily, still running her hand up and down the length of his shaft.

"No?" He asked confused, drawing back to look at her.

"I want…" Gail blushed furiously, finding almost impossible to voice what it was she wanted, but reminding herself that he was her husband and if she couldn't tell him, then she couldn't tell anyone. "I want it to be…dirty. Naughty."

John was practically gawking at her, his face growing redder as the seconds ticked by. "How do you mean?"

His inexperience was endearing to her, and though she wasn't experienced either, she had read enough sultry romance novels and lived with Sherry long enough to know what kinky was. Gail retrieved her hand, giving him a playful smirk, and took a step back as she reached up under her petticoat and peeled off her panties, leaving her in dress, stockings and heels. She could see the understanding dawning on John's face, quickly covered up by another flush of red as Gail pushed up and perched demurely on the motel dresser.

She tried not to giggle nervously as she waited for him to come to her, but it was obvious he was dumbstruck. "Well, Mr. Mulcahy?"

John could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This was certainly unexpected, but exciting and terrifying at the same time. He always felt like such a bumbling fool when it came to matters of intimacy. He licked his lips and took a step towards Gail, then another, then another. Gail reached forward, grabbing his tie and reeled him the rest of the way in until he was standing up against the dresser between her parted thighs.

She leaned forward, now even in height with him, and kissed him. Taking one of his hands, she placed it between her knees at the hem of her dress. "Touch me, John."

John's hand was shaking slightly as he touched the inside of her knee, his fingers encountering the silkiness of her stocking before he slowly slid his hand up under her skirt, stroking her stocking-clad thigh until he found smooth bare skin where the stocking stopped. Gail leaned back on the heels of her hands and parted her legs a little more as she looked at him wantonly. He held her eyes as his hand slid further up and brushed across the moist folds of her sex. Gail inhaled sharply, closing her eyes as she anticipated more, and John did not disappoint.

His fingers gently explored her, caressed her, and stimulated her, making her cry out and moan in response to the pleasure. John was enthralled by the expressions flitting across her face and watched her alternate between biting her lip and letting her jaw fall open as her mouth formed a silent O. As he brought her to climax by mere touch, he could feel himself pulsing and throbbing within the confines of his trousers. He wondered if he had ever been as aroused as he was at that moment, and conceded that the anticipation and hunger for release was just as heady as the act of sex itself.

As John started to withdraw his fingers, Gail moved to the very edge of the dresser, parting her legs as much as she could as her hands dipped down the front of his trousers. He was hard, the veins standing out prominently against the skin as she withdrew him and guided him towards her opening. He gently pushed into her, shuddering as her warmth enveloped him and reaching under her dress with both hands to grasp the globes of her round bottom and draw her in against him to deeper connect their bodies.

Gail gasped and cried out in pleasure, her body still sensitive from release, and the resulting contraction of her inner walls made John nearly lose himself right away. He buried his face in against her neck, her dark curly locks tickling his nose and filling his olfactory senses with the soft scent of her lavender shampoo.

Her legs wrapped around his waist and John slowly moved his hips, lightly thrusting in and out of her in a steady rhythm. They sighed and moaned together as they made love atop the dresser still fully clothed. He loved how adventurous Gail was in their sexual exploits, as he would never think of half the things she had wanted to do together.

When Gail reached her second peak, her body spasmed around him, overloading his senses until he lost control of his own orgasm and spilled himself inside of her.

"Dear God," he panted as he held her tightly and rested his head against her shoulder, not wanting to move any time soon. "How can this feel so wonderful?"

Gail grazed the back of his neck with her short nails. "Because God made us for each other…a perfect fit."

John was surprised by her answer, but didn't argue. He had no doubt that she had been made for him. He felt a swell of pride and possession within him as he once again thought of her as his—his wife, his lover, his everything for all eternity. John couldn't help but think in moments like these, moments of pure bliss and absolute closeness, that—even if he lost all of this tomorrow—leaving the priesthood to pursue a relationship with Gail had been worth it.

TBC