Chapter 20

Meanwhile, back at JAG HQ, Harm was upset with a young attorney who had gotten one of his cases. The poor man had been harried to death about how to handle the fine points of this one from Rabb. Lieutenant Bradford was just about ready to request a transfer, anywhere, as long as Rabb wasn't there. "So help me, Sturgis, the man followed me into the head to tell me in what order to call the witnesses on his case!" grumbled Bradford. "He can't prosecute if he's acting JAG."

"Calm down, Pat, it won't last forever. Care to share some of his views with me?"

"Hell, no! You're opposing council," frowned Lieutenant Bradford walking out and slamming the door behind him.

In fact, so many of the staff were complaining about Harm's strange behavior that they had all gotten together to solve the problem.

"Something has to be done until the Admiral and the Colonel get back," said P.O. Coates. "Please, one of you guys talk to him. Just have him calm down a little, please!"

Everyone looked around at each other. "Who's going to talk to the Commander?" asked Bud.

Everyone looked at him and smiled.

Wednesday, April 7, 2004

1030 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

The next morning Bud worked up the courage to speak with Commander Rabb. As he walked slowly through the bullpen, all eyes were on him. Bud could feel his hands start to sweat. Coates met him at the Admiral's door, "The Commander's inside Lieutenant, and I told him you wanted to speak with him."

"Thanks, Petty Officer," replied Bud. Going to the door, he took a deep breath and knocked.

"Enter," came from inside. Going in and up to the desk, Bud stood at attention.

Glancing up from his notes for Lieutenant Bradford, Harm said, "At ease, Bud, and have a seat. I'll be right with you."

"Yes, Sir. This will only take a minute if I may," squirmed Bud.

"Go ahead then, Bud. I can do two things at the same time, and I'm sure you have work to do," replied Harm, rubbing his forehead. His thoughts were on Clay, Mac and the Admiral, not the notes in front of him.

Outside the door, Harriett and Jen had their ears pressed close to the door, trying to hear what was going on inside. Harriett was worried about Bud. Jen was worried that Commander Rabb would blame her for Bud being inside.

'Where has Clay taken Mac now? What kind of trouble has he gotten her and the Admiral in? I would have been better suited for any mission to protect Mac than the Admiral. Lord, look at his age, the man is in his 50's!' Harm was thinking.

"Sir, the staff is worried about you. It seems you have been acting strange since the Admiral and the Colonel left. We all wondered if you were having some problem we could help with...I don't mean to sound forward, Sir, just wanted to let you know we're all concerned," stammered Bud.

'Damn! I worked for the CIA! Why did Clay pick the Admiral over me? If Mac gets hurt, I'll kill him, slowly. They need me in the field, not as a desk jockey, that's the Admiral's job.' "What did you say, Bud? Never mind I need to run these notes to Lieutenant Bradford. Stay here and we can talk when I get back,' said Harm headed for the door. "I won't be gone long."

Hearing Harm coming, Harriett and Jen jumped back and ran to Jen's desk. Jen picked up a blank piece of paper and was in the process of handling it to Harriett when Harm stormed out of the door. "Coates, I'll be back shortly," threw Harm over his shoulder as he headed for the courtroom.

Bud sat there dazed. Looking at his wife and Coates, he shook his head, "I tried! I really tried."

To be continued….