Chapter 12

Because Harm was going be in Norfolk all morning conducting interviews for a case, he and Bud had agreed to meet for lunch and 'settle this' as the Admiral had instructed. They would both be in uniform so would need to be careful of where to meet and the extent of how things were 'settled', but both of them knew that there would be no more blows thrown. They would grab something to go and meet at the park near the Mall.

Bud was already there at one of the picnic tables when Harm arrived. He didn't stand or show any other sign of respect for a senior officer as Harm took the bench across from him and opened his take-out bag.

Harm took a breath and asked, "Did you talk to Harriet about this?"

Bud did look up then. He didn't glare at Harm as he had expected him to do, but instead there was sadness there in the younger man's eyes. "No, and I don't plan on doing so," Bud replied.

"Where does that leave us Bud? You do know you could bring me up on charges..."

"As you could me, but it wouldn't solve anything nor would it change what happened. I just don't understand why a guy like you, that could have anyone he wanted, had to go after my wife!"

"I didn't 'go after' her, Bud! I was trying to comfort her and one thing led to another. As for being able to have anyone I wanted…well there is someone in my life, but there are complications to us being together right now. We're apart so much of the time and I get lonely."

"If she means that much to you then why couldn't one of you transfer out of the office?! I'm sure the Admiral could find one of you a billet to keep you and Mac close together. Look what he did for Harriet and I!"

"Thanks for that Bud, but it's not Mac."

"Then who would you not be able to be with…oh don't tell me it's Lieutenant Singer!?" Bud exclaimed, slightly horrified.

"NO! She does nothing for me at all! Much too cold. I can't tell you who it is, but you can trust me that nothing will ever happen between Harriet and I again! I swear it on my father's name on the Wall!" Harm vowed.

"I trust my wife, Ha…Commander. I know what happened had to have been a moment of weakness. I hadn't been there for her like I should have been, but that will never happen again either."

Harm understood, but couldn't stop from feeling hurt when Bud stopped from calling him 'Harm' and switched to Commander. His one night of sexual gratification with Harriet had cost him his friendship with someone he had always liked and thought of as sort of a younger brother. "I guess now we just to face the Admiral."

"Yes," Bud responded sadly. He hated to damage the faith Admiral Chegwidden had shown in him over the years since he'd come to JAG. He only hoped that one day he could earn it back.

The two men rose and walked to their individual cars. They would both return to the office to face the Admiral's wrath. Both were hoping that he hadn't changed his mind about letting this go with just a letter of reprimand in their files. That in itself was bad enough, but both men knew that they could be facing dismissal or court marshal over it. As it was, the letter would mean neither of them would receive another promotion for at least a year, in best case scenario. In a worst case one, a promotion would never happen or, they could be frozen at their present rank until they left the service.

They faced the Admiral together as soon as they returned. Unknown to the three in the office, everyone in the bullpen was poised waiting for the explosion. The Admiral sat behind his desk looking up at the two officers he had left at attention. He slowly and grimly listed every charge he could bring against them and the maximum sentence each charge could carry.

Both men stood there waiting for the other shoe to drop. They knew they had both messed up in a way that could end their careers. The Admiral held their fate in his hands.

To be continued…..