A/N: Things are never easy for our dynamic duo. Not only is trouble brewing, someone doesn't give up easily.

Trouble

JAG Headquarters
June 14, 2001
0800 Local

Admiral A J Chegwidden strolled into the bullpen with a lighter heart than he'd had in weeks. Hearing the news that Harm was alive was the best thing to happen in a long time. Seeing him last night was even better.

Not only that, but his chief of staff looked happier than she had in weeks. No, she looked happier than she had in months. He only hoped the two of them would come to their senses and work things out. Yes, a relationship between the two of them would cause problems with them being in the same chain of command, but A J was confident he could work something out so they could be together. If needed, he'd call in a few favors.

"Attention on deck!" Gunnery Sgt. Galindez stood at attention as did the other staff members in the bullpen.

"As you were." He stopped at his yeoman's desk. "Tiner, assemble everyone in the bullpen in fifteen minutes. I only want to say this once."

"Yes, sir," the petty officer replied.

Fifteen minutes later, A J entered the bullpen where the officers and staff had gathered. "Most of you have already heard that by the grace of God, Commander Rabb was found alive yesterday. I'll not go into details but suffice to say he had quite an ordeal. However, after being checked out at Bethesda, he was given a clean bill of health and will be returning to JAG on Monday. Gunny, Tiner, the two of you will gather the commander's personal things from storage."

"Yes, Sir," the replied in unison.

Sighs of relief spread around the bullpen, along with "That's wonderful, Sir," and "It will be good to have him back." A J wasn't the only one with a lighter heart today. Everyone looked thrilled to hear the news. Almost everyone that is. A certain Lt. Commander didn't look happy.

"Okay, people, back to work. Commander Hughes, come with me."

"Yes, Sir."

Once inside his office, A J spoke. "Have a seat, Commander. As you probably guessed, as the senior officer, Commander Rabb will occupy the office he had before this ordeal. You'll move down the hall to Mattoni's office."

"Isn't that location smaller, Sir?"

"It is. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, Sir. It's just wanted to make sure I have room for personal things."

"Take home whatever you don't have room for. This is an office, not living headquarters."

"Right. Is the, uh, is Commander Rabb ready to report back? Won't he have to go before the mishap review board because of the crash?"

Chegwidden frowned. Hughes had changed since the last time they served together, and A J wasn't sure he liked what he saw. Not to mention the report he received from Admiral Morris the day before. "That's no concern of yours. In any case, appearing before the flight review board has no bearing on his duty as a JAG officer."

"Understood, Sir."

"You can start clearing your things from Rabb's office. Tiner and Gunny can help you move things if needed. That will be all."

"Aye, aye, Sir." Hughes walked to the door, then turn around. "Admiral, might I inquire about Colonel Mackenzie? Does Commander Rabb being found have anything to do with her absence?"

A J frowned. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"I heard she and the commander were close, and I thought that might explain the family emergency she had yesterday."

"Colonel Mackenzie's personal life is none of your concern. Neither is Commander Rabb's. Dismissed!"

McMurphy's Tavern
June 14, 2001
1800 Local

Lt. Commander Rick Hughes sat at the bar, downing his second beer of the evening. He was tempted to order something stronger. Two weeks ago, when he'd gotten the news he'd been assigned to JAG headquarters, he saw it as his chance to move up in the ranks. His career had hit a dead-end at Pearl, thanks in part to a senior attorney who had it in for him.

Sturgis Turner played it by the books—no bending the rules. Hughes took great delight in the fact Chegwidden had selected him over Turner to come to JAG. He aspired to become the Judge Advocate General one day, and he didn't care who had to step over to accomplish that goal.

But he'd heard about the hotshot lawyer, Harmon Rabb. JAG's poster boy, the aviator, turned lawyer. And while the fact he was missing and presumed dead was unfortunate, not having Rabb around was one less obstacle out of his way.

Sarah Mackenzie was another one. Hughes doubted she'd ever become JAG. First of all, she was a Marine. Second, he knew about her article thirty-two and the fact she'd murdered her husband. Didn't matter that it was self-defense. It was a black spot on her record. Not to mention the fact she'd committed adultery and fraternized with a senior officer.

But she had Chegwidden's favor. With Rabb coming back, JAG would once again have its dynamic team, and that would leave him out in the cold. Unless he could think of something, his days at headquarters were likely numbered.

Engrossed in his thoughts, he didn't notice someone had taken the seat beside him until the man spoke.

"Good evenin' mate."

The thick, Australian accent grated on his nerves. Everything agitated him this evening, but the last thing he wanted was to strike up a conversation with anyone. But the man was persistent.

"Bloody shame to be sitting alone in a bar on a Friday night."

What the hell was this man trying to do? "Hey, if that's supposed to be a pick-up line, I'm not interested. I just came here to unwind and have a drink."

"Ah, no mate. Nothing like that. Just making conversation." The man laughed, then turned to the bartender. I'll have a lager."

Hughes took another drink of beer, but the Aussie wasn't easily deterred.

"Are you new around here?"

"Yes."

"Thought so. Haven't seen you here before. Of course, I don't come here as often as I once did. My mates at JAG often held wet downs here."

That got his attention. "You're with JAG? How come I've never seen you?"

"Used to be. I was on an exchange program from the Royal Australian Navy. Mic Brumby."

"Lt. Commander Rick Hughes."

"My fiancée is still stationed at headquarters."

"And who would that be? I was recently assigned there, but I probably know her."

"Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie."

So this was the erstwhile fiancé. He had heard rumors as to why the colonel had broken off her engagement and wondered if they were true. If so, he could use the information to his advantage. Maybe he could learn something. "I wasn't aware the colonel was engaged."

"Something happened, and we had to postpone our wedding. Haven't set a new date yet."

Either the man was in denial, or the colonel wasn't entirely truthful. Hughes decided to test the waters. "My guess it was due to Commander Rabb's disappearance?"

The Australian frowned. "How would you know about that?"

Rick shrugged. "Just a guess. Everyone was pretty upset over it. I would think since the colonel and the commander were partners for years, it was especially hard on her."

"Rabb's always been a thorn in my side. Bloody shame about him dying, though."

"You haven't heard?"

"No, heard what?"

"They found him on a small island in the Atlantic. From what I heard, he had been suffering from amnesia for a while, but doctors at Bethesda gave him a clean bill of health. He'll be back at headquarters on Monday."

"Rabb's alive?"

"I'm surprised Mac didn't say anything to you."

"I gotta go, mate." He threw some bills on the bar, then hurried out the door.

Sarah Mackenzie's Apartment
June 14, 2001
2230 Local

Mic Brumby sat in his car and watched for any signs of Sarah. He'd gone to her door, hoping she would be there, but after knocking repeatedly, she didn't answer. He went downstairs to wait in case she showed up.

From his vantage point, he could see there were no lights in her apartment windows. Hughes said something about a family emergency. Mac didn't have any family except for her uncle and her estranged mother. Well, there was Chloe. He hoped nothing was wrong with her.

By 2300, he gave up and decided to drive back to his apartment. He thought about phoning Sarah, but she hadn't been answering his phone calls. No, it was best to see her in person. Now that Rabb was alive, nothing was standing in the way. Sarah would come to her senses, and they could reschedule the wedding. And once he had that ring on her finger, she would be his forever. Then he would somehow convince her to leave JAG and Washington.