AN: First of all I have to say thank you so much, 'merci beaucoup' and 'dankeschön' for all the feedback and support throughout this tale. Now it's time for part 25 – finally - before I crawl back into my warm bed. And here I hoped this year would be my year without any health problems or whatsoever is buzzing around the universe. Think again LOL or how to say it in Harms words… achooo!!! LOL I will be back soon… till then enjoy this part… Love, Michi
Home Is Where Your Love Is Chapter II - Part 25
Disclaimer - See part one for all important information
At the same time, Mac and Grams were winding their way through traffic on their trip to the airport, chatting incessantly when Grams realized that she hadn't made plans for someone to pick her up from the airport once she arrived home.
"Sarah, can I use your cell phone to call Dolores and see if she can pick me up once I get home?"
"Of course," Mac responded pulling her phone out of her purse and handing it to Grams.
Grams took the phone and stared at it not sure exactly what to do. Mac sensed her dilemma and smiled. "Just flip it open and dial."
Gram's smiled back. "Thank you. I guess I'm still living in the dark ages when it comes to some things." They both shared a chuckle as Grams dialed the number.
"Oh my," Mac heard Gram say into the phone. "When do you think it will be okay?" Grams continued. "I see. Well, do you think it would be possible for me to stay with you until I can get back to the farm?"
"Grams…what's going on?" Mac asked concerned over the one-sided conversation she was hearing.
Grams asked Dolores to hold on a minute while she explained that she wouldn't be able to get to the farm because the roads leading to it were completely flooded due to the severe rain storms in the Pennsylvania area.
"No problem, Grams. You are not going anywhere but back home with me until you are able to get back to the farm."
"Are you sure? I don't want to impose. I've already been here for quite some time."
"Nonsense. I love having you stay with me," Mac coaxed.
Though a little hesitant at overstaying her welcome especially since her grandson and this lovely woman sitting next to her had finally gotten it right, in reality Grams was thrilled to be spending more time with Mac and Harm.
"Dolores, dear, I won't be returning just yet after all. I will call you in a few days. Talk to you then. Goodbye for now."
"Good," Mac responded. "I'm glad that's settled. Now all I need to do is turn around and head back, but I need to make a little detour at the pharmacy first. Then I will drop you off at the house before I head into the office for a little while."
"Oh! Is something wrong, dear? Are you not feeling well? A little nauseous maybe?"
"Nooooooo. I need to stop and get Harm something for his cold."
"Of course. Whatever you say. Let's go."
Mac shook her head at Grams before taking the next exit.
*
JAG HEADQUARTERS
12:23 AM
Admiral Chegwidden was perusing papers on his desk when his phone rang and Tiner informed him that it was the SECNAV. "Great!" he moaned out loud. Before he had a chance to acknowledge the SECNAV, Tiner had entered with an envelope marked 'IMPORTANT'. "Now what?" he bellowed as he proceeded to tear open the sealed envelope.
"Good afternoon Mr. Secretary."
"Let's drop the formalities shall we, AJ. Did you receive an envelope today?"
"I'm opening it as we speak, sir."
The minute the Admiral saw what was inside he yelled for Tiner. "Get Rabb and MacKenzie in here ASAP!"
"I want answers, AJ, and I want them quick. I'm sure you'll handle it."
"Of course, Sir," the Admiral responded before ending the call as he continued to peruse the contents of the envelope strewn over his desk. 'Oh bloody hell… can this day possibly get any worse,' he wondered, throwing his glasses on his desk before rubbing his hands over his balding head as he heard the light knock on his door.
"Enter," the Admiral barked.
Harm knew something was wrong the minute he stepped into the office and saw the look on the Admiral's face. He approached the desk and stood at attention. "Reporting as ordered, Sir."
"At ease, Commander," he instructed, shoving the contents of the envelope at Harm. "What in the hell is the meaning of all this and let me just warn you Commander… this better be good. And where is the Colonel. I sent for both of you."
"Sorry, Sir, but she hasn't arrived yet. Achooo… shhh…shhhe…achooo. Sorry, she should be here momentarily," Harm stated distractedly, extracting a handkerchief from his pocket before taking the papers from the Admiral and began reading.
"Should you even be here? You're not looking too well."
"I'm fine, Sir. Just a little cold," Harm responded nasally.
"Well… I'm waiting Commander."
Harm paled immediately upon looking over what the Admiral had handed him. The context of the letter hit him full force. He had all he could do to keep himself upright. "Sir, this is preposterous. Mac…ah…Colonel MacKenzie and I had nothing to do with this. The accusation are a pack of lies. We did nothing wrong."
"And this?" The Admiral asked handing Harm the two photos that had been in the envelope.
Harm's jaw dropped upon seeing the picture of Mac and him kissing in front of her house, he was in his uniform while Mac was wearing her bathrobe. "Admiral… Sir… this isn't what it looks like."
"Oh…it doesn't look like you and the Colonel kissing?"
"Well, yes it is M… the Colonel and I kissing, but it was…," he began to stammer when the Admiral cut him off.
"Commander, what you and the Colonel do in your private time is your business. Just keep it out of my damn office and for heaven sake please try and be a little more discreet!"
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
"Oh, for Pete's sake, stop 'sir'-ing me and tell me what in the hell is going on. Is all this true? And, who and why would anyone implicate the both of you in what Brumby has done? I'm having a hard time comprehending any of this."
"Unfortunately, it's true when it comes to Brumby and I don't know who would implicate us, Sir," Harm stated, rubbing his hand over his jaw, trying to get a handle on everything.
"What about the Colonel? She was involved with Brumby. She almost married the arrogant SOB."
"Yes, she almost did. Sir, all I can tell you is that Mic indeed did work for the mafia. He got himself deep into debt gambling and tried to get himself out by working for the mafia. But Mac was never involved. After what he did to her…," Harm started and stopped, realizing that it was not up to him to tell the Admiral what had transpired between Brumby and Mac. "All I can say is that Mac would never betray her friends or her country for that matter. I think we both know that."
"What did he do to her?" the Admiral asked softly, standing up and walking around his desk towards Harm.
"Sir, with all do respect, I should not have said anything. The Colonel should be the one to tell you what happened."
"Understood, Commander. And I agree with you totally this whole thing has to be collaborated by someone wanting revenge on either you or the Colonel or both of you. We need to get to the bottom of this quickly because the SECNAV was sent all of this as well and he is breathing down my neck as you can well imagine. Let's try and keep her away from as much publicity as we can. I'm going to put you in charge of that one. It's a direct order Commander. Whatever you have to do… do it."
"Aye, aye, Sir." Harm responded before heading for the door.
"Harm?"
Harm turned around, his hand on the doorknob, surprised at the use of his given name.
"Take good care of her."
"I will, Sir."
*
Mac had gotten Grams settled back in at the house and was going to call Harm and tell him about the change in plans, but she needed to go into HQ anyway so she decided to wait and tell him the good news when she got there.
She bid Grams goodbye with a kiss to her cheek, saying she and Harm would see her later on for dinner.
*
Mac entered the bullpen and as her sixth sense kicked in telling her something was amiss, she saw Tiner making a bee line towards her.
"The Admiral would like to see you immediately if not sooner, Colonel."
"Thank you, Tiner. On my way." 'Off to the lions den,' she thought to herself as she quickly made her way to the Admiral's office. From the look on Tiner's face, she knew something was definitely going on and that she was about to find out exactly what it was.