JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
May 23, 2001
0835 hours
Admiral Chegwidden sat down at his chair. Commander Rabb was returning from sick leave today and he was uncertain as to what to give him to do. He knew Harm had been through a lot over the past few weeks. Not only him, but his partner, Colonel MacKenzie. Mac’s fiancee, Mic Brumby, tried to pit the two JAG lawyers against one another. Somehow, he had succeeded.
At the hospital, after Mic and his friend attacked Harm, the Admiral learned that he was in love with Mac. The ex-Navy SEAL also realized that Mac was in love with the Commander.
Harm had been deeply hurt by his best friends’ actions and harsh words. Ever since Harm’s recovery, Chegwidden had attempted to get him to open up about it, but the Commander was never ready. There was a knock at the door, preventing the Admiral from further thought. “Enter.”
~~~~~
0840 hours
Mac entered Headquarters with a frown on her face. She knew Harm would be arriving back today, but she didn’t know how she could face him. The Marine Colonel hadn’t seen him since the night she found him unconscious on Baxter Street. She shook her head to clear the vision away.
Mac brought her cover and briefcase to her office and headed to the break room where she found the Roberts and Gunny Galindez. “Colonel” they greeted.
“Good Morning.”
“Colonel MacKenzie,” Gunny said. “The Admiral would like to see you at 0900, Ma’me.”
“Thank you, Gunny,” she replied, sipping her coffee.
~~~~~
“Good Morning, Petty Officer,” Mac greeted Tyner.
“Ma’me,” he said with a nod. “The Admiral is still with Commander Rabb so you’ll have to wait a few minutes.”
Mac nodded and faced the door. *Harm is right through that door. What is he going to say when he steps out here?* She didn’t have to wait long for the answer because the door opened.
As soon as they locked eyes, Tyner could feel the tension. It was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. “Colonel” Harm nodded.
“Commander.” Mac could see the pain in his eyes still. *How can I relieve your pain, Harm?*
“Tyner! Is Colonel MacKenzie here yet?”
“Yes, sir, she’s right here.”
“Send her in.”
“Aye, Sir,” Tyner said, looking at Mac. “Ma’me.”
“Thank you, Petty Officer.” Mac went to the door. Before she opened it, she turned around. Harm was gone.
~~~~~
“Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered, Sir!”
“At ease, Colonel.” Mac did so and waited for the Admiral to continue. “Colonel, for now, I’m assigning you to a different partner.”
“Sir?” Mac asked.
“You’ll be working with Lieutenant Roberts until further notice. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Good. Dismissed!”
“Aye Aye, Sir!” Mac turned smartly on her heel and left the office.
~~~~~
Harriet bit her bottom lip as she knocked on Harm’s door. She knew that the last few weeks had been really hard for him. In a way, she hoped the favor she was about to ask of him would help him. “Enter.”
Harriet went in and stood silently in front of the desk. “Lieutenant, do you have something to tell me, or are you just going to stand there?” Harm asked with a smile.
“Yes sir. Actually, I’d like to ask a favor of you, Commander.” Harm nodded. “As you know, sir, Bud’s grandmother is in the hospital. We wanted to visit her, but...”
“But you can’t take little AJ. You’d like me to watch him,” Harm finished.
“Would you, sir?” Harriet asked, nodding slowly.
“Of course, Harriet. And, if you’re going to entrust your son to me, you’d better call me Harm. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir... Harm. Thank you so much!”
Before Harriet could leave, Harm stopped her. “Lieutenant, it’s Friday. Why don’t the two of you make a weekend out of it? I’m sure Bud would like to visit his family for a few days.”
“I don’t know, sir,” Harriet said uncertain. “I don’t want AJ to be a burden on you.”
“Nonsense,” Harm replied with a wave of his hand. “My godson will never be a burden.”
“Bud would really like to spend some time with his mother. He hasn’t seen her in a few months...” Harriet thought a moment. “Okay! I’ll let him know. He’ll be ecstatic. Thank you so much, Commander.” Harm nodded as the Lieutenant went to tell her husband the good news.
*Maybe this will help me keep my mind off a few things... Like Mac.*