Chapter 2

Stepping around his desk, and in between the Commander and the spook, AJ faced Harm. "Stand down, Mr. Rabb. Webb didn't know the Colonel had gone TDY. Mr. Roberts, you are dismissed," he informed Bud, and as the Lieutenant opened the door of the office to leave, AJ called through to PO Coates, "Coates, get me the CO at the base where Colonel Mackenzie is stationed."

"Have a seat, Commander," ordered AJ. "This should only take a few minutes and then we'll get to the bottom of this mess."

No one spoke as they all anxiously awaited the call to Sarah's CO in Iraq.

The room's occupants were all lost in their own thoughts and jumped a bit when the phone on AJ's desk buzzed. "Sir, Colonel Davies is on the line."

"Thank you, Coates." Wasting no time on preliminaries, AJ hit the speakerphone button and jumped right in, "Colonel Davies, this is Admiral Chegwidden at JAG. One of my officers, Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, has been assigned to you TDY. I need her back ASAP."

"Hello, Admiral. May I inquire as to why?" Colonel Davies asked. He had enjoyed working with Mac for the past six weeks and definitely didn't want to give her up so soon.

"It is of a personal nature, Colonel. But I can say that it is imperative that she return home immediately."

"Sir, with all due respect, does this have anything to do with the fact that the Colonel is pregnant?"

"You know?!" AJ asked, startled. Looking up at Clay, AJ gave him a look that warned him to keep his mouth shut, as the spook jumped to his feet looking as if he were ready to kill Colonel Davies with his bare hands. AJ then gave the same look to Harm as he reacted just as Clay had.

"Yes, Sir. The Colonel informed me of her condition upon her arrival. Since there are no direct threats in the area, I saw no reason she couldn't remain here and complete her assignment."

"Colonel Davies, I need to speak with the Colonel. Is that possible?"

"Yes, Sir," Davies said into the phone and then looked up at his aide and told him, "Corporal please find Colonel Mackenzie and inform her that I need to speak with her ASAP," all the while thinking, 'I feel sorry for you, Mac. The Admiral is none to happy with you, and sounds as if he is ready to kick your six for this stunt.'

Colonel Davies made small talk with the Admiral while they awaited the arrival of Colonel Mackenzie.

"Colonel Mackenzie reporting as ordered, Sir."

"Colonel, Admiral Chegwidden is on the phone for you," he informed her, and then said into the phone, "Admiral, the Colonel is here."

He stood and handed the phone to her, patted her on the shoulder and walked out the door, saying, "Mac, I'm going to go get lunch, so take your time. We'll talk when you're finished."

Sarah took a deep breath before placing the receiver to her ear. "Colonel Mackenzie."

Clay had stayed quiet for as long as he could and decided it was time to speak up. "Sarah, what in the hell are you doing in Iraq? Do you care so little for me, and our baby, that you would put yourself in harm's way on purpose?"

Sarah didn't say anything at first; she was too surprised to hear Clay's voice. After a few moments the reality hit her that Clay was the one who had informed the Admiral of her condition when he could not find her. "This has nothing to do with you or the baby, Clay. I'm doing my job. Just like you do yours." The sarcasm, dripping from her words, could be heard by all.

"Sit down and shut up, Clay," an obviously irritated Harm snarled. "Mac, why didn't you tell me you were pregnant? I'm supposed to be your best friend, and partner, and I had to hear it from the Admiral, who heard it from Webb."

Sarah shook her head, as her worst nightmare became reality. Not only did she have the Admiral and Clay to deal with she now had Harm. She felt a headache coming on.

To Be Continued….