Disclaimer: not mine, Bellisario's

Maaac!

Monday morning, 8.00
JAG offices
As usual Harriet was one of the first to start work. While she was sorting out the first of the many bunches of paperwork that wereas going to hit her desk that day, one by one her co-workers trickled in. All but one, that is. Commander Rabb was late.
It was already almost 9am when she heard the elevator door open once again. Looking up she saw Harm entering the bull pen. He looked like hell, very tired, dark circles under his eyes and he was dragging his feet.
Harriet jumped into action. In a second she was on her feet, steering him to a chair and then headed to the kitchen to fix him a cup of coffee, almost as strong as Mac used to make. He gratefully sipped the hot liquid which seemed to revive him.
She returned to her work, once in a while throwing him a curious glance once in a while. While he sipped his drink she asked "You look exhausted, Sir, what happened?"
Harm shrugged. "I hardly slept this weekend," he admitted.
"Is everything all right, Sir?" Harriet wanted to know. Her voice sounded concerned. "Nothing wrong with your family?"
Harm shook his head. "No, don't worry, Harriet. I called mum and grandma this weekend and everyone is fine. And it's not a case either. It is Mac."
Harriet's eyes widened. "Mac?" She wanted to continue but was shortcut by his next words.
"Yes. Mac. I go to bed, normal time. Planning on catching up on some sleep. And then, in the middle of the night, she wants to play. And if I don't go along she starts licking my toes. Or nibbles my fingers."
He turned towards her "Ever tried to sleep when your fingers are being nibbled?"
In the bullpen the normal buzz faded away for everyone perked their ears and tried to hear what Harm was saying.
"Or to sleep in less than half the space you need? D*mn, I have a more than king-size bed and she takes three fourth of it. As small as she is!"
Heads shot up. Some officers took a step closer in order to hear better.
"I never should have taken her in. When she gets bored she turns the place into a mess," Harm grumbled.
This only served to make his co-workers pay even more attention, if possible. All hands were lying still now and slowly a circle of eagerly listening people started to form.
"I don't mean … well, she is nice. When I sit on the couch she comes and wants to cuddle. And then she sits in my lap for the rest of the evening."
His co-workers inched closer, increasingly interested. All work definitely had come to a halt.
And what was more, by now a new arrival had turned up. Major Sarah Mackenzie aka Mac had stepped out of her office and was now leaning against the jamb. You could feel the tension rise. People glanced at each other, trying to estimate her reaction. Surely she should … But for now she seemed happy just to stand and listen.
In the meantime Harm didn't seem to notice her. He went on with his lamentation. "Mac! She wakes me up by rubbing her face against me. Or she sits on top of me. Way too early, of course. Before I'm properly awake she runs to the kitchen and demands breakfast. In very loud voice. And boy, is she a picky eater! Just meat, best quality of course, and certainly no veggies."
By now you could hear a pin fall. Everyone waited with bated breath …
But it wasn't Mac who reacted. Unnoticed by everyone the Admiral had been alarmed by the lack of noise and had come out of his office. His eyes bulged hearing his subordinate's last words and he hollered "Commander! What the h*ck is going on! Do I have to give you a lecture about fraternization?"
Harm almost jumped out of his skin. In a second he was on his feet, forcefully put his mug on Harriet's desk spilling the last droplets, and came to attention.
"No Sir."
"What 'no Sir'? You don't need a reminder about regulations you?" His voice was low and threatening.
"No Sir, It's not what you are thinking, Sir," Harm hastened to explain. "It is … my neighbour had to take care of her sick mother. She left for California for a few weeks and I am tending her pet: Mac. As short for Most Annoying Cat."
His eyes were wide and solemn. He looked as innocent as a baby unborn.
The Admiral's jaw dropped visibly. He all but deflated, his anger extinguished as if someone had thrown a bucketful of water on it. Somewhere in the back of the room a quickly suppressed chuckle was audible.
Chegwidden delivered an angry glare around. "Is there no work to do anymore?" he crossly addressed his staff. Suddenly the bullpen was filled with the sound of shuffling feet and people hastening to go back to work. The Admiral straightened his shoulders, looked around one more time and marched back into his office, closing the door behind him explicitly.
With a faint smile Mac turned around, too, and disappeared into her own office. Only when the door was safely shut and she was sure nobody could see or hear her she allowed herself to crack with laughter.

The end