Disclaimer: I don't own JAG and I don't own anything worth suing for... unless of course you want my kids. Have you ever read, "The Ransom of Red Chief"?
Just a one-shot bit of fluff that occurred to me after reading an article about Take Your Dog To Work Day on Friday.
JAG Ops
9:00am local
Wednesday, June 23, 2005
Harm glanced up as Mac sauntered into his office, grinning much like that oft referenced cat. "What do you need, Colonel?" He didn't have time for chit-chat - he was overloaded with new cases and behind on the paperwork of others.
Without breaking stride or losing her grin, which by now had turned into a smirk, she flopped into one of the chairs. "So who are you bringing to work on Friday?"
"Huh?" Harm shook his head. He wasn't in the mood for mind games. "The only person I'm bringing to work is me. Why do you ask ?"
Gleefully waving the papers in front of his face, Mac stated triumphantly, "Friday is bring your dog to work day."
"Maaaac, I don't even HAVE a dog, much less would I even attempt to bring one in here. Do you really want to handle D&D's in Greenland? Unless you've added to your household recently, you don't have a dog either."
"We could go to the pound at lunch..." Mac was bouncing in her seat, but Harm couldn't tell if she really wanted to get a dog, or if she was just enjoying yanking his chain. She was certainly much happier than she had been in a while.
"No, Mac. No pound. No dog. Now can I get back to some real work?" Harm sighed as she stomped out of his office, but not before she had given him her best pout-y face. On impulse he picked up the telephone and started dialing.
JAG Ops
11:20am
Friday, June 24, 2005
Harm was standing in his doorway, checking his watch. His appointment was late and they were fast running out of time before lunch. Just as he had decided to call and reschedule, a short woman backed her way through the doors, carrying a large box. "Good," he thought, "right on time."
He moved to take the box from the woman and handed her an envelope in return. She thanked him and turned to leave.
Harm glanced into Mac's office and was pleased to notice that she was turned away from the door and working on her computer. He checked out the Ops area to see how many people were watching, but discovered that only Harriet was paying any attention at all. He nodded to her and motioned with his head toward Mac's office.. Harriet smiled and turned to watch.
Harm tried to edge over to Mac's door without drawing any attention to himself and kept checking to be certain she didn't turn around. Once at the door, he set the box on the floor and pulled a small ball out of his pocket. Now Harriet was really curious and leaned over for a better view. Harm opened the box and removed a beautiful Collie puppy. He set the puppy on the floor just outside Mac's door. He showed the ball to the puppy and very gently rolled it under Mac's feet. The puppy bounced into the office after the ball, lost her balance on the tile while making the corner around the desk and slid into Mac's legs.
Harm knew he was going to pay later when a very startled Mac screeched and jumped to her feet. Looking down at what had startled her, her face immediately softened, "Hey, baby, how did you manage to get in here?" She picked up the puppy, looked around, and caught Harm peeking around the doorframe.
"She yours?" Mac asked, smiling.
"No. She's yours." Harm grinned wickedly. "After your performance the other day, I made a few calls and managed to locate a breeder in Maryland. Just so you would have someone to keep you company for 'bring your dog to work day'.
Mac buried her face into the soft fur of the puppy. When she looked up, Harm could swear he saw a tear. "Thank you, Harm. I've always loved Collies - from about the time I was little AJ's age and read my first Lassie book. I'd better use my lunch to run her home before-"
"Attention on deck." Harm and Mac cringed when they heard Petty Officer Coates call them to attention. Mac gently dropped the pup back into her box and kicked the flaps back over the top as she straightened up.
"As you were,"the General said as he walked through Ops.
They almost got away with it. Just as the General passed Mac, the pup decided she'd had quite enough of being stuffed in a box for the day and tried to jump over the rim. She got hung on the top and fell out, tipping the box in the process.
General Cresswell stopped. Looked at the dog, looked at Harm and Mac, then looked back at the dog. "This had better be evidence in one of your cases."
Harm had never seen Mac completely speechless before. While they were trying to come up with a reasonable excuse, the pup busied herself chewing on the Admiral's laces. He bent down and lifted her up and held her at eye level. "None of that, hear? Which of you does she belong to?"
Mac was still struggling for words so Harm came to her rescue. "I apologize for the disruption, sir. It was a joke that got out of hand. Mac was showing me where it was "bring your dog to work day" and I thought I would surprise her."
"I was just about to leave to take her home, sir," Mac added.
Cresswell looked at the pup again and glanced at Harm. "Pretty expensive for a joke." Then he turned to Mac. "Do you actually want a puppy, Colonel? She's got good breeding and we've been looking for another dog since we lost our Golden Retriever in March."
Mac wondered if letting him have the pup would get them out of trouble, then decided it was worth it. "I've already fallen in love with her, sir. Would you be too angry if I took her home?"
Harm came to the rescue once again. "I've still got the number for her breeder, sir. I think there are still several available, if you are interested?" At the General's nod, Harm hurried back to his office.
The General turned back and handed the pup to Mac, straightening up to his full command presence but he couldn't keep the twinkle out of his eyes. "Colonel, get this dog out of my building."
As she breezed past Harm's office, Mac whispered, "Come over tonight and help me figure out what to name her."
