Chapter 8

A/N: I have received feedback about how many of you dislike the direction I took Skates in. I understand where you all are coming from. I am not happy with the choices her character has made either, but I am showing the harsh reality when good people are sent to prison with criminals. Just keep in mind that like people can change from good to bad, they can also change back to good again.

Mac's Apartment, December 24, 1999, 20:00 EST

Mac and Chloe just finished watching their movie together. In front of them sat an empty pizza box, bones from chicken wings, and a bowl containing just a few un-popped kernels of popcorn. Both of them were stuffed and didn't want to move. They briefly tried to coax the other into putting on another movie but gave up when it was clear neither one of them would get up from their comfy spot. Instead, Mac turned the TV off with the remote and the two began to talk some more.

"So," Chloe started, "Who's your handsome friend?"

"What do you mean?" Mac asked, half laughing.

"The guy at the airport," Chloe responded.

"Oh, he's just someone I bumped into today," Mac told her.

"Really?" Chloe asked. "He seemed pretty friendly for only having met you today."

"He was friendly, but that doesn't mean anything," Mac said.

"If it doesn't mean anything, then why'd he give you his number?" Chloe asked. A surprised look appeared on Mac's face.

"How did you know?" Mac asked, not sure how the girl would've seen what she thought was a very stealthy move by Adam.

"Oh come on, this is me we're talking about." Mac nodded. If anyone could spot a sneak, it was Chloe. "So, when are you going to call him?" She asked, sounding like a teen at a sleepover with friends her own age.

"You don't know that I will call him," Mac replied.

"Yeah, sure…I saw your face when he gave you his number. You're going to call him. When?" She asked again.

"I don't know…"

"How about now?" Chloe suggested.

"Umm, I don't think so," Mac replied.

"Why not?"

"Because it's getting late, he's with family, and it's the same day I met him," Mac listed off.

"So? Why does that matter?" Chloe asked.

"I can't come across as desperate," Mac told her, unsure why she was even having this conversation with someone Chloe's age.

"You won't," Chloe told her. "He wouldn't have given you his number if didn't want to hear from you."

"I think we need to clear all of this up before it attracts bugs," Mac said, changing the subject to the food mess in front of them.

"Sure, way to change the subject," Chloe mumbled quietly enough that Mac didn't hear it.

Mac and Chloe stood up from their spots on the couch. Chloe grabbed all of the trash and put it in the trash bin. Mac took all of the dishes, rinsed them off, and put them in the dishwasher. When all of the food items were in their proper places, Mac told Chloe to go brush her teeth and get into her PJs. She then went on to tell her that she needed to go to bed early if she wanted Santa to come. Then, Chloe had to remind Mac that she had known about the Santa myth for years. While Chloe was getting ready for bed, Mac took out both her phone and the card given to her at the airport. She didn't want to call him - she didn't want to disturb him later at night when he was with company - but she did want to contact him. She thought of what to say and then sent him a text.

Mac: Hi Adam, this is Mac, from the airport. I enjoyed talking to you today. I didn't want to call you late while you had family over.

It wasn't long before Mac's phone buzzed, indicating a response.

Adam: Mac, it's great to hear from you. I'm out shopping with my parents but so glad you contacted me. How are you?

Mac and Adam continued to text each other for the rest of the night. They talked about their careers, interests, hobbies, family, and many other things. Mac felt very comfortable talking to Adam and he felt likewise. Adam told Mac that he would call her in the morning before his parents woke up so they could talk properly and wish each other a Merry Christmas. Both went to sleep with smiles on their faces and hopes of happy dreams.

Naval Consolidated Brig, Miramar, December 25, 1999, 07:05 PST

It was Christmas morning and Skates was already awake, showered, and ready to be called to breakfast. Regi was still sleeping, but that was typical of her. Skates was feeling a bit tense due her being in confinement during Christmas. She felt that she needed to take the edge off so she moved the shelving unit next to Regi's bunk when she saw that no one was looking. She found the loose tile and pulled it away from the wall. Inside, she saw that Regi restocked. Rather than having to return multiple times during the day, Skates took an entire pack with her. She hid it in her bra knowing that today would be a rough day for her. She put the tile back in place, as well as the shelving unit. When she finished, she heard one of the guards yelling out that it was time for breakfast.

"Regi, chow," Skates said to her bunkmate. Regi stirred and groaned. She never wanted to wake up. "Come on, I heard we get special breakfast today."

"Fine, fine, getting up," Regi grumbled. She slowly sat up. Her thick, coarse hair was messy but she didn't care. "Merry Christmas, I guess," she said to Skates when she was a little more with the program.

"Merry Christmas, yourself," Skates replied unenthusiastically.

The two women joined the herd of other women going toward the mess hall. Once inside, they lined up in their usual fashion. When they reached the serving line, Skates noticed that they had pancakes for breakfast. She looked at Regi and gave an approving smile. It had been a long time since she had eaten pancakes. Even though they would likely not taste as good as ones she normally had, Skates was still pleased.

Skates sat with her usual group during breakfast. The women engaged in their typical mealtime conversation. Since it was a holiday, everyone seemed to be a bit cheerier and no one planned on doing anything crazy or stupid. Things were so calm, in fact, that Blaze even wished Skates a happy holiday. She wasn't sure how sincere it was, but Blaze wasn't causing any trouble so Skates counted that as a win.

The only ones not in good spirits were the guards. Skates couldn't blame them. No one wanted to work on a holiday - especially Christmas. Skates remembered all of the times she was deployed during various holidays. It was always hard on her and Dennis but they always managed. She never imagined she would spend a holiday in confinement or even a holiday where Dennis wasn't part of her life. Now, both of those were reality for her.

"Where are you going?" Regi asked Skates as she turned the opposite way of the common area.

"Outside. I want to get a run in this morning," Skates replied.

"I'm coming, too, then," Regi said. Paityn and Striker noticed them going outside and decided to follow them, too.

As soon as she stepped outside, Skates inhaled deeply. The air was not nearly as cold and crisp as back home, but the December chill had definitely set in. The four women made their way over to the running track and lined up to begin their morning jog. There wasn't much to do to occupy themselves and Skates was already used to running each morning, so this was a routine for her. For the others, it was a way to pass the time and stay in shape. When they finished a few laps around the track, Striker and Paityn who had been at Miramar much longer than Skates and Regi, were ready to bow out. They waved their sign at Skates and Regi as they left to go inside and the pair signed back. Then, they both indulged in a cigarette to calm themselves after their run.

Once finished, Regi was ready to go inside. Skates wasn't quite ready yet. She wanted to take some time to herself. With Regi now gone, Skates was alone. She walked the perimeter of the prison yard thinking and reflecting on her life until now. She thought about her relationship with Dennis. This made her angry - she couldn't figure out where she went wrong with him or what signs she must've missed. She thought about her trial which brought back memories of Boomer and Duke. She then thought about Harm and how protective he had become of her. Skates felt slightly annoyed that Harm always had to be the one coming to her aid.

"Get over here!" Her thoughts were immediately interrupted by a male guard shouting at her. Skates had seen him around before - he was tough, but Skates was in no mood to put up with any crap from the guards.

"What?" Skates said as she approached the guard.

"That's no way to address me, Lieutenant! Stand at attention!" He shouted. Skates gave him a look that asked the question: Are you serious?

"What, sir," Skates said in a mocking tone.

"Cut the crap Lieutenant! Wait -" The guard paused. "What the hell do I smell?"

"You know," Skates began, "I was wondering that, too. When's the last time you showered?" Skates knew she was crossing a line but she didn't care. Today was Christmas and it was the first time in several years that she was not spending it with someone she cared about whether that be her family, fiancé, or squad mates.

"Oh don't you start," he said. He took a notebook out from his shirt pocket and began writing. Skates knew it was a write up. "Where are they?" The guard finally asked after he finished scribbling the beginnings of a write up.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Skates replied.

"Hand them over," the guard said. Skates shook her head. "Now, Lieutenant! Hand them over! I can see the bulge in your shirt."

"Oh, so now you're looking at my chest, you pervert!" Skates spat back.

"Last chance, Hawkes!" He shouted.

"You want them so bad? Take them yourself," Skates told him. She started to walk away but the guard grabbed her arm and yanked her closer to him. She tried to fight him off but he was stronger than she was. He stuck his hand down her uniform and retrieved the pack of cigarettes she was concealing.

"You're screwed, Hawkes," the guard whispered to her.

"Get your hands off of me!" Skates shouted.

Skates was furious that a male guard would treat a woman in such a way. The rage that filled her gave her new found strength. She kicked the guard and he doubled over in pain. She then grabbed hold of him and punched him in the nose. Blood began to drip from his nose. At this point, they had caught the attention of other guards. Two guards came on either side of Skates. One grabbed her left arm and the other grabbed her right arm. They led her, kicking and screaming, toward solitary confinement.