Mac and Jada wash the stickiness of the donuts off their fingers, and Mac pours herself another mug of dark brew to take back up to the room with her. As an afterthought, she doubles back and prepares a cup of breakfast coffee aka "squid brew" as well for Harm. She isn't sure if he will be allowed to have it or not, but she figures he will at least appreciate the thought, considering the pout he gave her several hours before when she wouldn't let him have any.

Before she can get a foot out the door, her cell phone is buzzing listed as "JAG Ops". She tells her friend, "Hang on a sec, Jada, I need to take this."

She answers, "Colonel MacKenzie."

She can hear the gruff voice of her Commanding Officer on the other end, "Good morning, Colonel. How is the patient doing this morning?"

She replies, "Apparently better than you, Sir."

Chegwidden sighs in frustration, "I've spent the whole blasted morning with the SecNav!"

She sympathizes, "Sorry, sir."

AJ sarcastically notes, "I don't need to tell you how much joy that gives me." He adds, more subdued, "I take it there were no other incidents last night since I didn't hear from you?"

Mac chuckles, "I didn't want you to have to visit the morgue, Sir."

The Admiral smiles, "I appreciate that, Colonel. I wasn't sure if you were going to put him there."

Mac laughs, "Not this time, Sir. Not that the thought hasn't crossed my mind more than once in the past. But health wise, Harm had a very peaceful night's rest. The doctor was quite pleased with his progress. His blood pressure remained mostly stable throughout the night."

AJ doesn't doubt that Harm rested well with his beautiful partner by his side. He mutters under his breath, "I'll just bet he did." Audibly he adds, "So is Harm spending another night or being released?"

Mac responds, "I'm not sure yet, Sir. Captain Livingston is in with him right now and I was just about to head back up there. I got kicked out for the inspection. I'll lose you in the elevator, so I can call you back when I get to his room, if you like."

Chegwidden bows his head towards his desk, running his hand over his bald head in frustration. After dealing with Nelson for a few hours, and a lack of sleep because of both of his two senior attorneys, he really doesn't need any more tension this morning. He inquires, "Colonel, did the Marines all of a sudden go soft?"

Confused by his question, she seeks clarification, "Sir?"

The Admiral shakes his head at her response, she obviously isn't on her normal caffeine high yet. Either that, or she is still daydreaming of sleeping in the bed with Harm. He states, "Mac, the last time I checked Bethesda had stairs. You can use those, and then you don't have to call me back."

Mac inwardly chuckles, she is obviously more out of it than she realized. Apparently waking up next to Harm scrambles her brain cells a bit. But it is a welcome feeling. She answers, "Sorry sir, yes they do. I apologize. Although I might lose you in the stair well too, but it is worth a try."

She looks over to Jada and raises her eyebrow. Jada, who has been waiting patiently in the corner of the room perfectly understands Mac's unasked question after hearing her comment to whom Jada assumes is the JAG. After all, she has been a nurse in the hospital for several years and knows all of the ins and outs, especially where the stairs are in case of fire. She is actually surprised that Mac doesn't know where they are located. Jada walks out of the door and gestures for Mac to follow her.

Noticing that the Marine isn't directly with her, Jada looks back to see Mac trying to hold the phone between her ear and shoulder while juggling cups of coffee in each hand. Jada takes pity on her, and takes the lighter brewed cup from one of Mac's hands so that she is free to hold the phone. Mac starts to teasingly object with a "Hey, that's Harm's" before she remembers her CO is on the phone.

Jada smirks as she quietly says, "I'll just tell that Sailor of yours that I brought him a cup of coffee just to see that charming smile of his. You know that just the sight of a cup of coffee is going to make him smile."

Mac hits the mute button on her phone, with her newly freed hand, at that comment, teasing her friend, "Uh huh. I guess you aren't immune to flyboy smiles after all."

Jada merely shakes her head.

She depresses the mute button as she hears AJ on the other end, "Mac? Colonel?"

She quickly replies, telling a little white lie, "Sorry, Sir. I told you I might lose you in here, the signal didn't drop out but I couldn't hear you either."

AJ sounds like the old guy from the cell phone commercials, "Can you hear me now?"

Mac answers, "Yes, Sir. Loud and clear. And I just got up to Harm's floor so let me see where everything stands."

Mac knocks on Harm's door, not wanting to interrupt if Captain Livingston is still examining him, and Harm yells, "Come on in, Mac. I'm alone."

Mac reaches her hand out to Jada to request that she give her back Harm's coffee. Jada willingly hands it over with a smile and whispers, "I'll see if I can find the doc for you." Mac nods her agreement and walks into Harm's room.

She announces to Harm, "You might be alone, but I've got the Admiral on the phone. He wants a status update."

She places the cups of coffee on the nightstand and holds up her finger for Harm to wait. He smiles at the domestic gesture. Mac then places the phone on the bed and presses the speakerphone button. She states, "Admiral I just put you on speaker, and Harm and I can both hear you."

Harm clears his throat and speaks, "Good morning, Sir. The doctor is signing forms for my release, providing I agree to have someone watch over me for the next few days, take it easy, and have a follow-up with a neurologist in a week who will repeat the CT and advise when I can return to full duty. Captain Livingston did mention that he would have a few instructions for whoever I would be staying with."

The Admiral responds, "I see. If the Colonel doesn't mind keeping vigil for another few hours until I can get away from here, I can set up my guestroom and you can stay with me for a few days." AJ smiles to himself wondering how long it will it take for one of them to object to his proposed arrangements.

It doesn't take but a second before Harm replies, "Umm Sir, I was actually hoping the Colonel would volunteer to be the one to watch over me."

Mac interjects, "I really don't mind, Sir, if you are too busy."

The Admiral inwardly chuckles, knowing he was right, and for the first time since he woke up this morning, enjoying himself. He is impressed that Harm seems to have taken his words to heart. Finally! He inquires, "Colonel, are you absolutely sure that you can you can deal with his pig-headed stubbornness, inability to listen, whining, and lack of being able to follow orders?"

Mac chuckles, "Admiral, those really aren't new personality traits, and I have been his partner for six years. I've gotten rather skilled at dealing with the Commander's 'moods.' And if he gets too far out of line, I do know how to drop him on his six in a way that won't further injure his inflated head."

Harm simply gapes at her in mock horror. He mouths, "I'm not that bad!"

Mac gets a wide grin, and shakes her head up and down several times in the affirmative, silently telling him, "Oh yes you are!"

Chegwidden hesitates for a moment, "Okay you two, I am willing to sign off with Mac being your caregiver for now. Colonel, if he gets too far out of line, I expect you to call me. I'll also inform Lt. Sims that you are being released. Once she hears, I'm sure the rest of JAG will know the reasoning for your absence in under thirty minutes."

Harm and Mac chuckle slightly at Harriet's gossip skills, and reply simultaneously, "Understood, Sir."

AJ replies, "I want you to call me when you are settled at whoever's apartment you will be staying at."

Mac and Harm share one of their wordless conversations. Mac replies, "We'll be staying at Harm's, but I might need someone to hang out with him for a few hours to allow me to get some things from my apartment."

The Admiral states, "I'll stop by around six this evening. I'd send Tiner to keep him company, but unfortunately the Commander outranks him, and Tiner would give in to whatever he requested, even if it wasn't an order. I'll bring some eggplant parmesan, lasagna, and salad from that divine Italian restaurant on the way to Union Station."

Mac smiles, her mouth already watering at the thought of food. She might just have to swing through the Beltway Burger's drive thru on her way to Harm's. She is starving, and the donut just didn't cut it. She answers, "Sounds good, Sir. We will see you later tonight. I'll let you know whatever instructions Harm's doctor has for me then."

The Admiral replies, "I will see you then" and hangs up the phone.

Mac places the phone on the table next to the bed, and grabs the lighter coffee to hand to Harm. She asks, "Are you allowed to have this?"

Harm nods his head, before taken a savory sip. He states, "The doctor didn't put any restrictions on my caffeine intake, just my activities. I promise not to overdo it."

Mac teases, "Just because I am willing to play your nursemaid, do not think I am going to put on one of those little black and white outfits to look the part."

Jada walks back in just as Mac is making that comment. She chuckles, "If you change your mind, I know a great little place that carries them, and a whole lot of other nice outfits."