Dear Santa...it's Little AJ - Part 6/11
See part 1 for all disclaimers
Saturday December 20
Iraq
Location Classified
9:34 PM
Mac sat in her tent, which still had some mildly charred pieces to it. She was writing a report as a knock came from her door. "Enter."
"Colonel MacKenzie," A male voice said getting Mac's attention.
Mac snapped her head up at the voice and quickly stood at attention. "I'm sorry, Sir. I got caught up in this report."
Colonel Pine smiled at her. "At ease, Colonel."
"Sir."
"The last day of your tour with us will be the 22nd. You can hitch a ride to the Seahawk and catch a COD from there to get home," Pine gleefully told Mac.
The smile on Mac's face grew slowly from center to ear-to-ear. "It's been a privilege to serve with you, Sir."
Pine extended his hand and Mac shook it. "You too, Mac. You're one hell of a Marine."
"Thank you, Sir."
He handed Mac her orders and watched her read them. His eyes fell to the fresh dressing on the burn on her arm. "I'll be adding a little something to your file. I don't think Bryson and Gilfront will be forgetting how you helped them out."
Mac's eyes moved to her bandage. "I think I won't be forgetting either, Sir."
"Well, have a good and safe trip back. You will be missed." Pine concluded his stay. Mac returned to attention as he left her tent.
As soon as Pine was gone Mac let out a very soft. "Yes!!" She even partook in a few jumps for joy. She turned to quickly sign on to her computer but her excitement left her as it fell upon the melted pile of plastic and circuits.
"I could call from the Seahawk," Mac muttered to herself as she remembered phone privileges were revoked for the camp.
Wednesday, December 24
Persian Gulf
Seahawk
2:12 AM
"Man, this sucks," A Lieutenant Commander complained as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Something wrong, Commander?" Mac asked as she sat at a table near the coffee pot.
"I was suppose to go home today, Ma'am, but my RIO got sick. Captain Ingles has since then canceled my flight," He explained as he stood by Mac's table.
"Couldn't he find another RIO to fly with you?"
"Ma'am it's Christmas Eve…the cook volunteered to fly with me." He groaned into his coffee mug. "I was looking forward to going home. My girlfriend gave birth to my son earlier this month."
"Congratulations." Mac smiled to him.
"Thanks, but the poor kid will have no idea who his daddy is if I'm not there. I promised Cathy I would be there tonight. Guess I better go call her and break the news."
"Sorry, to hear about your bad luck," Mac said apologetically.
He gave her a half smile. "Thanks for listening."
Mac smirked. "But you do understand that you did not follow correct procedure, Commander."
"Ma'am?"
"Complaining goes down the chain of command. Not up the chain of command." Mac laughed.
He let out a nervous chuckle. "Yes, Ma'am."
The Commander turned to leave the room when Mac called to him. "Commander, what is you name?"
"Harry Monarch, my call sign is Solo." Harry gave her a sincere smile.
"Merry Christmas, Solo." Mac smiled.
"You too, Ma'am." Harry added before leaving the room.
Mac sat there and thought for a minute about Solo and his new son. Then she thought about Little AJ and her promise. As she sat and thought there an idea came to her head. Before she could talk herself out of the idea she quickly left the lounge and walked to the bridge.
End Part 6