Chapter 35

Tuesday, June 12, 2003

0845 EST

Bethesda Naval Hospital

Bethesda, Maryland

"You want out of the 'baby deal'?" she asked.

"Well, we did say if either of us were in a serious relationship…and I am serious about Merry, Mac, she is really the one for me."

"Harm, that's fine, I hope the two of you will be happy together."

"We will be. Thanks for understanding, Ninja-girl."

"No problem, Flyboy, but you better let up on the phone calls a bit or the nurses really will come up with something nasty for you. Now I am on my way to see Meredith before work. You get well fast. We need you back at the office."

"Will do, Ma'am!" he barked and threw her a salute as she left the room.

Tuesday, June 12, 2003

0900 EST

Kresge Medical Center

Falls Church, Virginia

Meredith was humming to herself when Mac entered her room. She looked up and greeted her visitor with a huge grin, "Oh, Mac! He loves me!"

"I know, Mere. I am happy for you both of you. You just need to concentrate on getting better so you can be together."

She giggled, "How was his enema?"

Mac doubled over with laughter. "Oh, he had the shits, I had the giggles…"

Meredith looked shocked for just a second and then she was laughing too. But she stopped almost as quickly as she began, because she found that it still hurt a bit to laugh.

"Sorry, Mere," Mac said, trying to stop, when she saw her friend wince in pain.

"It's okay, but I guess it is good I'm not still with AJ."

Mac looked totally confused at this reasoning from her friend.

"Well if the nurses had threatened to do that to a…REAR Admiral…"

And Mac was off again! Her sides hurt, she was laughing so hard, and there were tears streaming down her cheeks. When she could compose herself enough to talk again, Mac told Meredith about Bud and Harriett having their baby last night and what they had named her.

Meredith sent her love to all three of them, and said that she would send a gift to the house later.

Mac knew that she needed to get going. She had a very full day ahead, so she took her leave of Meredith, saying that she would be back to visit that evening.

Tuesday, June 12, 2003

0930 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

When Mac finally entered the bullpen that morning, she was surprised to see that Bud was hard at work at his desk. "Bud, what are you doing here?"

"I know how short-handed we are, Ma'am, and Harriett and the Mackenzie are not being released until tonight anyway, so we thought I should come in and help out."

"Thanks, Bud, as long as Harriett doesn't mind, we can use the help. So get to work, sailor!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" he was grinning as he went back to work.

To be continued…..