A/N: One of the settings in this story is a product of my imagination. I have no idea about the logistics of uninhabited islands off the coast of North Carolina, so let's say I'm using creative license here.

Decisions

JAG Headquarters
June 7, 2001
0900 Local

Admiral A J Chegwidden enjoyed his job as Judge Advocate General. The staff members under his command were dedicated to their jobs, and his team of lawyers was the finest he'd had the privilege to serve with. Each one had a strong desire for the truth (except for Lt. Singer, whose ambitions took precedence over anything). They would go above and beyond to ensure justice was served.

Although it went against military protocol, this team had become almost like family. Collectively, they'd celebrated a marriage, a birth, grieved the loss of a child, death of a parent, and found the long-awaited answer to the fate of another parent.

Everyone worked like a well-oiled machine. Sure, there had been disagreements, especially between his two senior attorneys. When you have two strong-willed people, something like that is bound to happen. But Rabb and Mackenzie were not only outstanding in the courtroom. They were one of the best investigative teams around.

He recalled the day he warned two of them not to get too familiar with one another. The chemistry was there from the beginning. Within months of Mac coming to JAG headquarters, he'd half expected them to become romantically involved, necessitating a transfer for one of them.

But it never happened. For two people who were so smart, how could they not see what everyone else did?

A J wasn't sure what happened in Sydney. He knew that damned Aussie had been pursuing Mac almost from the time he arrived in DC. But he also knew Mac had resisted his efforts—even complaining about Mic's request for US Navy assistance to get her to Australia

Then she showed up at the airport wearing Brumby's ring. Rabb did a decent job of not showing his emotions, but A J saw through the façade. And when he finally confessed his feelings…

Chegwidden shook his head. It was a moot point now.

He walked from his office to the conference room. As is the case with any command position, there were always things he'd rather not have to do. Today was one of those times. It wasn't something he looked forward to. As he entered the room, his officers stood.

Everyone was present—Lt. Roberts, Commander Mattoni, Lieutenants Singer and Sims, and one downhearted Lt. Colonel. Well, not everyone was there. The vacant chair next to the head of the table served as a painful reminder of Commander Rabb's absence. It also reminded him of what he needed to do.

"As you were," he said, as he took his seat. The officers did likewise, then looked in his direction. All except Mac. She stared vacantly at the wall.

A J cleared his throat. "You all are aware Commander Rabb's absence has left us short-handed. Commander Mattoni's upcoming transfer in a couple of weeks will put an additional burden on our caseload.

"Lt. Cdr. Rick Hughes is transferring from our Pearl Office. I worked with the commander during my time at Pearl, and he's an outstanding attorney. He reports on Monday and will be moving into Commander Rabb's office." A J lowered his voice. "I've asked Petty Officer Tiner to remove Harm's personal belongings and place them in storage."

Mac snapped to attention. "You can't do that, Admiral."

"Why not, Colonel?"

"Because to do that… to remove… to give Harm's office to…" Mac's voice broke.

It was the first sign of emotion he'd seen in her since the night Harm's plane went down. He softened his voice. "I realize his disappearance has been hard on all of us, probably you most of all, but as commanding officer, I have to do what's best for the office. I'm sorry, Colonel, but we need to move on—no matter how painful it might be."

"But sir. This means you believe he's not coming back. You think he's …dead." She gasped, rose from her chair, then rushed from the room.

A J looked at the grim faces of the other officers. They also believed Harm was dead, but none would voice their beliefs in front of Mac. "Lt. Sims, would you look after the Colonel?"

"Aye, aye, sir." Harriet stood, then left the room.

Sarah Mackenzie's Apartment
June 7, 2001
1130 Local

Lt. Harriet Sims quietly closed the bedroom door, then stepped into Mac's kitchen. After Admiral Chegwidden asked her to check, she found the Colonel in the women's restroom sobbing uncontrollably. It was totally out of character for her, but Harriet knew how close Mac was to the commander.

When the admiral learned of how upset she was, he ordered Harriet to take Mac home and stay with her.

It had taken some convincing, but Mac finally lay down for a nap. Harriet's next step was to convince her to eat. She rummaged through the cabinets, hoping to find enough ingredients to make a pot of chicken soup.

She was in luck. Pulling a package of chicken from the freezer, she placed it in the microwave to defrost when someone knocked at the door. She looked through the peephole to see Mic Brumby standing on the other side.

How did he know Mac would be home in the middle of the day? He hadn't been to JAG headquarters since the night Harm's plane went down, nor had anyone seen him since the afternoon of the prayer vigil. And after Mac's outburst, no one dared question her about the wedding.

But he was Mac's fiancé. She still wore his ring, so it seemed only right for her to open the door.

She barely had time to open the door before Mic barged into the room. "Where's Sarah?"

"She's asleep."

He started toward the bedroom door.

"Mic, this isn't a good time."

"When did you become her keeper? Do I have to make an appointment to see my fiancée?"

In the years Harriet had known the Australian, he'd never been rude to her. But something was different about him today. "Mic, please, don't go in there. She's resting. She received some bad news today, and it upset her."

"What? Did they find Rabb's body? Will his ghost now come between Sarah and me? Of course, it will. He came between us when he was alive. Why should I expect anything different now that he's DEAD?" Mic's voice grew louder.

"Mic, please lower your voice. I know you're upset, but this isn't about you. Harm and Mac were best friends for years. Show her some compassion, please?"

"Compassion? You expect ME to show HER compassion? Why can't SHE do the same for ME?"

The bedroom door flung open to reveal one enraged Marine. "What's going on here?"

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. He knocked at the door, and I—"

"No need to apologize, Harriet." Mac looked toward Mic with fire in her eyes. "How dare you?"

"What?"

"How dare you come barging in here demanding to see me?"

"I AM your fiancé. And you've been ignoring me." His voice softened, "Sarah, I—"

Harriet's eye's widened as Mac ignored his pleading tone.

"And how dare you say Harm is dead."

"Well, you know he is. It's been weeks…"

"Get out."

"What?"

"You heard me. Get out."

"Sarah, I—"

Mac twisted the engagement ring from her finger, then flung it at Brumby. "Get out and take your damned ring with you." She turned, stormed back into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her."

Harriet could only look on in shock at the scene she'd witnessed.

Undisclosed Location
June 7, 2001
1700 Local

Malcolm Stewart lived the kind of life he'd always wanted. A life most people wouldn't dare attempt. Twenty years earlier, he'd quit his job, sold his home, and left friends behind to move to an uninhabited island in the Atlantic. The idea started when he read the story of a man who lived alone in the Alaskan wilderness. Though the idea appealed to him, he didn't want to live in a place with harsh winter conditions. Island living was perfect, so he began to plan the moment he graduated from college.

To say he was a total recluse wouldn't be accurate. He made trips to the mainland twice a year for supplies but was pretty much self-sufficient. Malcolm built the small hut himself. It was set in a cove that provided protection from the harshest elements.

Visitors were rare. Occasionally, a boat would venture near, or one of his oldest friends would fly out in his amphibious plane for a visit. But for the most part, air and sea traffic were sparse in this area.

That's why he'd been so surprised during his early morning walk on the beach two weeks earlier.