Part 21

Georgetown

0900 HRS EST

Mac's apartment

The ringing of the cell phone woke Jacob from his slumber on the couch. He had to get his bearings before he answered. He had let himself in with the spare key that Sarah had given to him years ago and waited for her to get home.

Once Jacob was fully alert he realized it was morning and had missed the call. He went to see if maybe Sarah came home late and he just didn't hear her come in which he seriously doubted.

Walking over to Sarah' bedroom Jacob knocked on the door but there wasn't any answer so he opened to find it empty. The bathroom door was wide open so he knew she wasn't in there. He came back out and checked the kitchen just in case she was in there making coffee.

She wasn't there either. 'Now what, where could she be? I'm really getting worried Sel, especially after what Commander Rabb said.'

'I'm sure she is fine Jacob. Let us not start to panic just yet. Maybe we should call Samantha and have them pick us up. We can get some breakfast at the hotel, get cleaned up and then go to JAG Headquarters. They may know where to find Sarah.'

'Yes, that's sounds good. It looks like the missed call was Sam anyway.' He said, as he returned Sam call.

"Hey, Kiddo, sorry I missed your call, I was still asleep."

"Hi, dad, how did it go with Sarah?"

Sighing, he replied, "It didn't."

"What do you mean it didn't? Didn't you tell her?"

"Sam, Sarah never came home last night and I'm really worried about her. From what Commander Rabb said, she could be in trouble, I'm afraid she might have fallen off the wagon. Why don't you come and pick me up. We will go get breakfast and cleaned up at the hotel. Then I'm planning to go to JAG to see if they know where to find her."

"That sounds good dad and we all will come with you."

"You don't have to Sam."

"I know, dad, but as you said, if she has fallen off the wagon, you might need the help."

"Okay, we'll be waiting out front for you. See you soon. Bye."

Jacob sat down on the couch and picked up a picture he had found on her desk. It was the two of them at Red Rock Mesa the last time they were together. 'Boy that seems like a lifetime ago.' He recalled all the fun they had that day.

1230 HRS EST

JAG Headquarters

Most of the staff was out to lunch when Jacob, Sam, Daniel and Jack came into the bullpen. They saw a Petty Officer and stopped her.

"Excuses me, Petty Officer, would you be able to help me. I'm trying to locate my niece, Colonel Mackenzie? Would you know where I could find her or someone who might?"

"Well, I know the Colonel was here cleaning out her office a few hours ago, but she's not here now. You could ask Lieutenant Sims, she should be down in the cafeteria having lunch with Commander Roberts."

"Thanks… Ah… Petty Officer…" Jacob said, asking her name as well.

Smiling at them, Jen replied, "I'm Petty Officer Coates, Sir."

"Well, thanks for your help."

As they were heading down to the cafeteria, Jack asked if it was the same Roberts that tried to save that little boy in Afghanistan a year ago. He thought that was a very courageous thing that Roberts did.

So when Jacob spotted Bud, they went up to him and the first thing that Jack did was stand at attention even though he wasn't in uniform. Seeing what Jack was doing both Jacob and Sam stood at attention as well.

Looking up after Harriet had grabbed his arm. Bud saw Colonel O'Hara and two other people standing at attention, so he too stood up.

They saluted Bud then Jack said, as he was shaking Bud's hand, "It's an honor to meet the most courage's man I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."

"Ah… Thank you, but I don't understand. What courageous thing did I do?" Bud was confused. He had no idea what Colonel O'Neill was talking about.

Harriet smiled with tears in her eyes. She knew very well what he was talking about.

"Well, saving that little boy in Afghanistan. What you did takes a lot of courage. Not many people would risk their life for someone else, and to come back after losing your leg, that also takes courage."

All Bud could say was. "Oh!"

"I agree with Jack, Commander, and I see congratulations are in order on your promotion. Let me introduce you to everyone then you can introduce your lovely wife that I have only seen pictures of that Sarah had sent."

Turning to Sam, Jacob continued, "This Major Samantha Cater, Doctor Daniel Jackson, and this guy is Colonel Jack O'Neill."

After shaking their hands, Bud introduced Harriet to them, "Nice to meet you! This is my wife, Lieutenant Harriet Sims, Harriet this is the Colonel's uncle, Colonel Mathew O'Hara."

"Just call me Matt. I'm no longer in the service."

"Commander Rabb, well its Captain Rabb now, told us the good news. That the President pardoned you a few days ago. Guess the thing to say is congratulations."

Grinning, Jacob replied, "Yes, well, thank you." He saw Jack trying to hide a chuckle. "I was hoping that you could help me. I'm trying to find Sarah. I haven't seen her yet. Do you know where I might be able to find her?"

Harriet and Bud looked at each other wondering if they should tell him about the Admiral and Colonel. They silently communicated to not say anything. This didn't go unnoticed by anyone.

"Well, I know they… Umm… That the Colonel was going to her apartment for awhile. Did you try there?"

Frowning, Jacob asked, "Who are they?"

"Well, the Admiral was giving the Colonel a lift on account that she didn't have her car. They might still be there." Bud explained, hoping that he would leave it at that.

Realizing there was more to this then they were saying, Jacob asked, "What aren't you telling me?"

"What do you mean?" Bud did not like this at all. He thought that the Colonel should be the one to tell her uncle that she was getting married.

Letting up on him, Jacob said, "Look, Bud, I can tell that the both of you are keeping something from me. If something is wrong with Sarah, I have a right to know."

Bud and Harriet looked at each other again and then Harriet said. "Nothing is wrong with Sarah, believe me, she couldn't be any happier right now. Please don't ask. It's not our place to tell you, but don't worry, she is okay. If you get to her apartment and the Colonel's not there, call me here and I'll give you the address where she will be." Touching Jacob on the arm, Harriet reassured him by saying, "Trust me, she's fine."

Taking Harriet at her word, he said, "Okay, at least I know she's doing okay. Thanks for your help. Goodbye."

"You're welcome, Sir, goodbye."

After they left, Harriet and Bud breathed with a sigh of relief. They didn't know what he'd say to the Colonel being involved with the Admiral, even if they were both retired now.

To be continued…