Disclaimer: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended.
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep Mac rolled over and slammed her fist down on the off button and rolled over groaning. 'God, yet another night of restless sleep and nightmares,' she thought. Slowly pushing the covers back and crawling out of bed, feeling the exhaustion weeks of sleepless nights have caused. Ever since she returned from Paraguay, she hadn't been able to get one good night's rest and her internal clock just keeps refusing to wake her up anymore. She got up and showered before getting ready for work.
Two hours later Mac heads inside the JAG office building to her office to drop off her stuff and grab a cup of coffee. On her way to the break room, Petty Officer Coates stops her and says, "Ma'am, the Admiral would like to see you ASAP. Lt. Roberts and Commander Turner are already in there with him."
"Thanks Coates." Mac walked in and stood at attention.
"At ease Colonel. Have a seat," said the Admiral pointing to the only empty chair in the room. After she took a seat, he began. "Colonel, the Commander and you are going out to the Coral Sea. You are to be investigating an air mishap. The Lt. will be going with you on a separate assignment. He will be heading out later this afternoon and Turner and you will be heading out tomorrow morning. If you have finished your investigation within two weeks, you will be helping out the JAG office aboard the ship. After the two weeks are up, you have the option to either come back to Washington, or spend a week in California where the entire JAG office will be taking a week long vacation. Everyone was invited to join us, but it'll only be us lawyers, while everyone else will be doing their own vacation wherever." The Admiral paused to look at the shocked face of Mac as she had no idea and held in a chuckle. "If that's all, then dismissed."
"Aye, aye sir." The three left the office quietly.
The Admiral sat back and finally chuckled to himself and wondered if the plan would work. He decided he needed to let Lt. Simms, the Burnetts and Grandma Sarah know the plan was set into motion.
"Commander," said Mac as she followed Sturgis into his office. "Do you know what this is all about?"
"I have an idea Mac, but let's not worry about that. We have an investigation to prepare for."
"What is Bud doing that we couldn't do since we're already going out there?"
"I don't know Mac. I just know that he was specifically asked for his assignment."
At that moment, Bud poked his head in the doorway, "Sir, ma'am, I'm heading home now to pack. Our flight leaves at 1500 for San Diego if you need to reach me for anything, we'll land there at 1900 EST."
Mac looked at him curiously, "We, Bud?"
"Oh yes ma'am. Harriet, AJ and Jimmy are flying with me to San Diego. They're going to be staying there while we're out on the carrier."
"Why Bud?"
"Uh, nothing ma'am," said a startled Bud. "If that's all, I need to be going. I'll see you two tomorrow afternoon."
"Dismissed Lt."
"Aye, aye sir," said Bud as he turned around and walked out of the bullpen to the elevator.
Mac looked back at Sturgis curiously but decided to ignore for now and they worked on their plan and prepared to leave for three weeks all afternoon.
"Sir!" yelled Harriet and Bud at the sight of Commander Rabb waiting for them down at baggage claim.
Harm smiled at them and then picked up AJ as he barreled into his legs and looked down at the couple, "Hey guys. Have a nice flight?"
"Yes, sir."
"Bud, Harriet, since you will be staying with my mom in our house, you better start calling me Harm."
"Yes, si…er Harm."
Harm just chuckled and shook his head. "Come on guys, I'm sure you're starved, I know I am." With that, they grabbed their luggage and headed to the car to head to La Jolla.