0900 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac walked in the office, she had come back from Indonesia hoping to solve some of her many problems. With Harm coming to the ship just made things more complicated. She had to tell him sooner or later because she would start showing soon. She had to tell him soon because she couldn't keep it from him forever. She got some files from Harriet on a case she had been assigned when Harm walked up to her.
"Hey Mac, I'm glad your OK."
"What do you mean your glad I'm OK? Why wouldn't I be OK?" She asked nervously.
"Well you were held in the embassy in Indonesia with an angry mob outside ready to tear the place to shreds."
"Oh... you mean that, yeah I'm OK. Just a couple of bumps and bruises."
"That's good... Mac, I don't mean to bring this up with all that's happened, but we really need to talk."
"You're right. Why don't we have dinner at my place tonight? Is Renee still in Minnesota?
"Yeah, she'll be back in a couple of days... so I'll see you at 1900?"
"Yeah sure that'll be fine." Mac said without another word, and walked into her office and quickly closed her door."
0131
BETHSADA HOSPITAL
BETHSADA, MARYLAND
Mac walked toward the OB office for her first appointment. She sat down and started flipping through a magazine, after what seemed like forever a nurse came out and said the doctor was ready for her.
Mac walked into the exam room and sat on the exam table.
"Hello, Ms MacKenzie, I'm Dr. Michaels. So are we ready to get started?" Mac reluctantly nodded her head as the doctor gently rubbed the cool gel on her stomach for the ultra sound.
"Well you seem to be about 12 weeks along, the baby looks healthy. Would you like to know the sex?"
"No, at least not yet anyway."
"Well, Everything looks just fine and the due date is about January 9th or 10th." Mac let out a sigh a relief. Her and Mic had made a pack to weeks before their wedding that they would wait until their wedding night to make love again. That meant that the child was conceived near the time of her engagement party, so she now knew the baby was Harm's.
"Thank you, Doctor. When's my next appointment?"
"Well, it should be in about four weeks, just make the appointment with the nurse at the desk."
"Okay, I'll see you in four weeks then." She left the room and made an appointment with the nurse and then left.
On the drive back to her apartment, Mac thought how much her life had screwed up in the past few months she didn't know how she was going to tell Harm that she was carrying his child when he couldn't even remember the night they spent together.
AUGUST 17, 2001
0824 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
CHURCH FALLS, VIRGINIA
Mac walked toward the Admiral's Office as soon as she entered the office, hoping that she had the strength to tell the Admiral about her pregnancy because it wouldn't be long before she started to show. She told Tiner that she wanted to speak to the Admiral.
"Admiral, Colonel MacKenzie to see you sir."
"Let her in . . . . That will be all Tiner."
"Yes sir." Tiner said as he shut the door. Mac stood to attention in front of the Admiral's desk. "At ease Colonel." Mac relaxed herself and took a deep breath unprepared for want was to come. " What is it exactly that you wanted to speak to me about?" Mac stood there in silence for what seemed like eternity. " Colonel?"
"Uh.... Sorry sir......I lost my train of thought there....." She didn't how to say what she was about to say but she finally just blurted out, "I think I'm going to have to take a leave of absence in a few months sir."
"Why is that Colonel?"
"Well sir I guess there's no easy way to say this ....... I'm pregnant sir." He stared at her with a look of astonishment but at the same time pity. Damn this girl has had her share of problems but this is a little much, the Admiral thought.
"Well congratulations, Colonel. When are you due?"
"Early January sir. I'd like to continue my duties here at JAG until its necessary that I take my maternity leave. Also sir I haven't told anyone else about this so I'd appreciate it if we keep this quiet for the time being sir."
"Whatever you think is best Colonel. And if there' anything that you need don't be afraid to ask." He gave her the sincerest of smiles.
Mac was surprised at how well the Admiral was taking this. "Thank you sir." She got up and stood at attention "Dismissed." The Admiral replied. "Aye, Aye sir" Mac responded and walked out of the office. She let out a sigh of relief as the door closed behind her.
0846 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
As Harm walked out of his office he saw Mac exit the Admiral's office walk into her own office and close the door. He walked toward her door and knocked. "Enter." He slowly turned the knob and entered the room. Mac looked up from the report she was working on and her face hid the anxiety she suddenly felt.
"Hey Harm." She said with a forced smile, "What can I do for you?"
"What... I have to have a reason to come in and talk to you?"
"No I was just wondering if you needed anything?" Mac answered partly letting out her distressed feelings. Harm noticed the tension she was giving off. "Mac, is everything alright with you?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. Why do you ask?"
"Well you just seem kinda... tense."
"Harm, I'm fine really. So do you wanna get together tonight to work on the case or do you have plans with Renee?" Mac asked with a slight of hope.
"No that will be fine.... I don't think I'll be doing much with Renee anymore." Harm said barely higher than a whisper.
"Why's that?" Mac asked predicting what he was about to say.
"We kinda broke up. Apparently she got engaged while she was in Minnesota... to an old boyfriend actually." Harm chuckled trying to lighten the mood but nothing could have settled the tension in the room.
"I'm so sorry Harm. I don't really know what to say......... but if we're going to get together tonight then I really have to finish these reports." Mac said trying to hide her delight.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I'll see you tonight. 1900? My place?"
"That'd be great. I'll see you then." Harm gave her his famous flyboy smile as he exited the room and Mac returned with her own smile when the door was closed.
1859 ZULU
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTION D.C.
Mac stood outside of Harm's door, she wasn't sure if she should tell Harm about the baby but she didn't know what would happen. After what seemed like forever, she knocked on the door, and a few seconds later Harm opened the door "You're early, Marine." He said with a smile as he gestured Mac to come in. She obliged and set the files she was carrying on the coffee room table.
"So where do we get started?" Mac said as she rid of her shoes and got comfortable on the couch. Harm sat on the opposite end of the couch. "Well I guess we should look over the interviews and medical information from Cooks and Bailey, and see if we can match that with the evidence from the scene."
"Sounds good to me, but you know I can't work on an empty stomach." Mac said with puppy dog eyes, playfully rubbing her stomach. Before Harm could reply the doorbell rang and he got up to answer it. "There's the solution to that problem." He said as he opened his door to the pizza boy, he took the pizza, and paid the pizza boy. He walked back to the couch and set the box on the coffee table. "Beverage?" Harm asked as he walked toward the kitchen. "Water's fine." Mac replied and a few minutes later Harm returned with a bottle of water and a diet Coke. They continued to eat their dinner and work on the case.
2223 ZULU
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTON D.C.
After the pizza was gone and most of the reports were finished, Mac and Harm lounged on the couch, just resting their brains. "Well, its getting kinda late. I guess I better go." Mac said as she slipped on her shoes and began to get up.
"Mac, wait." Harm said as he lightly grabbed her arm. Mac stared at him with questioning eyes. "We never did have that 'talk'." Mac was afraid that this would happen, she had tried to avoid it all night.
"Harm, this really isn't a good time." Mac replied with a stale laugh.
"When is it going to be a good time?" Harm asked, getting impatient.
"Everything's just too complicated right now. There's just too much you don't know...... I have to think. Please just give me time?"
"Oh, I see. So when you need time, I'm just supposed to give in, but when I needed time you just jumped into the arms of another man?" Harm asked harshly. He saw the instant hurt look in Mac's eyes and almost regretted saying it, but he quickly changed his mind. She deserved it. "And what exactly is it that I don't know?"
"Harm, not now, I'm not ready." She almost screamed, fighting back tears, as she grabbed her coat and ran out the door, accidentally slamming it on the way out. She could hear his fist pound against the door on the other side, and him sigh as his footsteps shuffle away from the door. She leaned her head against the door and just let the tears fall. All she ever wanted was on the other side of that door, but the battle between her head and her heart was overbearing. Her mind finally won as she walked toward the elevator.
Harm fell on his couch and turned on this TV, hoping to drown his sorrows his the world of television. When he found out it wouldn't work, he got out his weights and started work out. She tried to release his anger. He wondered why every time he was ready to take the next step with Sarah something happened that screwed it up. Even though he had no idea what that something was. He was sick of this dance they were having, agreeing with the words Mac had said weeks before. He was determined to make this work, no matter what it took he would be with the women he loved.
0253 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN, WASHINGTON D.C.
Mac awoke in a cold sweat, for the hour she was able to sleep she awoke from a nightmare. In the dream, Harm had been shot and as he lay there dying, Mac holding him in her arms, he mouthed 'I love you' as he drifted into an eternal sleep. It was only a dream. It was only a dream, Mac thought, trying to calm herself down. She got up, wrapping in a quilt, walked over to her window, looking at the business of the nighttime street.
She started to think about how screwed up her life was, again. Here she had this great guy who loved her and she loved back and who wanted to give her everything she ever wanted, plus she was carrying his child. This situation could only be complicated for her. There was just so many fill- ins. This 'guy' didn't know about her pregnancy or the possibility that the child was his. He didn't even remember their night together. They couldn't even establish a relationship together for Christ sake. The hours of the night passed by as she continued to try and resolve the crisis in her life.
0714 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac swiftly exited the elevator and entered her office, trying to avoid the possibility of running into a certain Sailor. She quietly shut her door and closed the blinds. She slumped into her chair and let out a sigh of relief. She wanted to avoid Harm for as long as humanly possible. Not any sooner than she could get to work, there was a knock on the door. "Enter." She said reluctantly. A head poked into her office. "Tiner." She replied with relief.
"The Admiral would like to see you in his office ASAP, ma'am."
"Thank you, Tiner."
"You're welcome, ma'am." Tiner said as he exited the office.
Mac pulled herself together and walked toward the Admiral's office. She opened the door, and the color drained from her face as she saw Harm sitting in one of the chairs opposite the Admiral's desk. "Take a seat, Colonel." Mac did as she was told and sat in the chair next to him, trying to avoid eye contact with him.
The Admiral saw the tension between the two officers, but decided not to mention it. "I have just been informed by the SecNav that the Cooks/Bailey case has been rescheduled for 1600 this afternoon."
"Sir?" Mac and Harm said in unison, which made them look up at each other, but as soon as they reached eye contact they turned back toward the Admiral.
Ignoring the response, the Admiral continued. "Apparently the SecNav wanted this case over with as soon as possible, its ruining the Navy rep. So it might be a good idea to have all the info rapped up by the afternoon."
Mac and Harm stood to attention "Aye, aye sir." They said, and they turned and walked out the door.
The Admiral shook his head in pity.
***************************
Harm and Mac walked through the office, both looking toward the floor. Finally, Harm piped up, "So do you want to take an early lunch to work on the case?"
"That will be fine. Meet me in my office at 1100." She stated and scampered off to her office.
******************
1102 ZULU
Harm reluctantly walked into Mac's office. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah." Mac replied cheerfully.
She's gone through a transformation. Harm thought. He guided her out of the office with his hand on the small of her back, which Mac responded with a light gasp. But quickly replaced it with a half smile. The walked down to the cafeteria, got their lunches, and walked out to the courtyard. They sat on a bench and ate their lunches in silence. When they were through neither one knew who should speak first. Finally Mac replied, "The semen from the victim is a match to both Bailey and Cooks, but the knife the girl was stabbed with was never found. It'll be hard to convince the jury that they actually murdered her."
"Yeah, but they had intent...." They continued their conversation on the case until they choice the angle at which they were going to try it. As silence again entered their meeting, Harm brought up another subject.
"Mac, I'm really sorry about what I said yesterday.. I wasn't thinking...." Harm started but Mac interrupted, "Never apologize, it's a sign of weakness." Mac stated trying to lighten the mood. Harm looked down in disappointment, he really wanted to talk to her about this. Mac saw the hurt look in his eyes. "Harm, we can't talk about this now... not here?"
"When then?" He asked with eagerness in his voice. "Tonight, my place. But don't forget the food." She said with a half smile. He gave her a genuine flyboy smile. He grabbed her hand and lightly squeezed, letting it go as they walked back to the office.
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac walked in the office, she had come back from Indonesia hoping to solve some of her many problems. With Harm coming to the ship just made things more complicated. She had to tell him sooner or later because she would start showing soon. She had to tell him soon because she couldn't keep it from him forever. She got some files from Harriet on a case she had been assigned when Harm walked up to her.
"Hey Mac, I'm glad your OK."
"What do you mean your glad I'm OK? Why wouldn't I be OK?" She asked nervously.
"Well you were held in the embassy in Indonesia with an angry mob outside ready to tear the place to shreds."
"Oh... you mean that, yeah I'm OK. Just a couple of bumps and bruises."
"That's good... Mac, I don't mean to bring this up with all that's happened, but we really need to talk."
"You're right. Why don't we have dinner at my place tonight? Is Renee still in Minnesota?
"Yeah, she'll be back in a couple of days... so I'll see you at 1900?"
"Yeah sure that'll be fine." Mac said without another word, and walked into her office and quickly closed her door."
0131
BETHSADA HOSPITAL
BETHSADA, MARYLAND
Mac walked toward the OB office for her first appointment. She sat down and started flipping through a magazine, after what seemed like forever a nurse came out and said the doctor was ready for her.
Mac walked into the exam room and sat on the exam table.
"Hello, Ms MacKenzie, I'm Dr. Michaels. So are we ready to get started?" Mac reluctantly nodded her head as the doctor gently rubbed the cool gel on her stomach for the ultra sound.
"Well you seem to be about 12 weeks along, the baby looks healthy. Would you like to know the sex?"
"No, at least not yet anyway."
"Well, Everything looks just fine and the due date is about January 9th or 10th." Mac let out a sigh a relief. Her and Mic had made a pack to weeks before their wedding that they would wait until their wedding night to make love again. That meant that the child was conceived near the time of her engagement party, so she now knew the baby was Harm's.
"Thank you, Doctor. When's my next appointment?"
"Well, it should be in about four weeks, just make the appointment with the nurse at the desk."
"Okay, I'll see you in four weeks then." She left the room and made an appointment with the nurse and then left.
On the drive back to her apartment, Mac thought how much her life had screwed up in the past few months she didn't know how she was going to tell Harm that she was carrying his child when he couldn't even remember the night they spent together.
AUGUST 17, 2001
0824 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
CHURCH FALLS, VIRGINIA
Mac walked toward the Admiral's Office as soon as she entered the office, hoping that she had the strength to tell the Admiral about her pregnancy because it wouldn't be long before she started to show. She told Tiner that she wanted to speak to the Admiral.
"Admiral, Colonel MacKenzie to see you sir."
"Let her in . . . . That will be all Tiner."
"Yes sir." Tiner said as he shut the door. Mac stood to attention in front of the Admiral's desk. "At ease Colonel." Mac relaxed herself and took a deep breath unprepared for want was to come. " What is it exactly that you wanted to speak to me about?" Mac stood there in silence for what seemed like eternity. " Colonel?"
"Uh.... Sorry sir......I lost my train of thought there....." She didn't how to say what she was about to say but she finally just blurted out, "I think I'm going to have to take a leave of absence in a few months sir."
"Why is that Colonel?"
"Well sir I guess there's no easy way to say this ....... I'm pregnant sir." He stared at her with a look of astonishment but at the same time pity. Damn this girl has had her share of problems but this is a little much, the Admiral thought.
"Well congratulations, Colonel. When are you due?"
"Early January sir. I'd like to continue my duties here at JAG until its necessary that I take my maternity leave. Also sir I haven't told anyone else about this so I'd appreciate it if we keep this quiet for the time being sir."
"Whatever you think is best Colonel. And if there' anything that you need don't be afraid to ask." He gave her the sincerest of smiles.
Mac was surprised at how well the Admiral was taking this. "Thank you sir." She got up and stood at attention "Dismissed." The Admiral replied. "Aye, Aye sir" Mac responded and walked out of the office. She let out a sigh of relief as the door closed behind her.
0846 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
As Harm walked out of his office he saw Mac exit the Admiral's office walk into her own office and close the door. He walked toward her door and knocked. "Enter." He slowly turned the knob and entered the room. Mac looked up from the report she was working on and her face hid the anxiety she suddenly felt.
"Hey Harm." She said with a forced smile, "What can I do for you?"
"What... I have to have a reason to come in and talk to you?"
"No I was just wondering if you needed anything?" Mac answered partly letting out her distressed feelings. Harm noticed the tension she was giving off. "Mac, is everything alright with you?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. Why do you ask?"
"Well you just seem kinda... tense."
"Harm, I'm fine really. So do you wanna get together tonight to work on the case or do you have plans with Renee?" Mac asked with a slight of hope.
"No that will be fine.... I don't think I'll be doing much with Renee anymore." Harm said barely higher than a whisper.
"Why's that?" Mac asked predicting what he was about to say.
"We kinda broke up. Apparently she got engaged while she was in Minnesota... to an old boyfriend actually." Harm chuckled trying to lighten the mood but nothing could have settled the tension in the room.
"I'm so sorry Harm. I don't really know what to say......... but if we're going to get together tonight then I really have to finish these reports." Mac said trying to hide her delight.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I'll see you tonight. 1900? My place?"
"That'd be great. I'll see you then." Harm gave her his famous flyboy smile as he exited the room and Mac returned with her own smile when the door was closed.
1859 ZULU
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTION D.C.
Mac stood outside of Harm's door, she wasn't sure if she should tell Harm about the baby but she didn't know what would happen. After what seemed like forever, she knocked on the door, and a few seconds later Harm opened the door "You're early, Marine." He said with a smile as he gestured Mac to come in. She obliged and set the files she was carrying on the coffee room table.
"So where do we get started?" Mac said as she rid of her shoes and got comfortable on the couch. Harm sat on the opposite end of the couch. "Well I guess we should look over the interviews and medical information from Cooks and Bailey, and see if we can match that with the evidence from the scene."
"Sounds good to me, but you know I can't work on an empty stomach." Mac said with puppy dog eyes, playfully rubbing her stomach. Before Harm could reply the doorbell rang and he got up to answer it. "There's the solution to that problem." He said as he opened his door to the pizza boy, he took the pizza, and paid the pizza boy. He walked back to the couch and set the box on the coffee table. "Beverage?" Harm asked as he walked toward the kitchen. "Water's fine." Mac replied and a few minutes later Harm returned with a bottle of water and a diet Coke. They continued to eat their dinner and work on the case.
2223 ZULU
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTON D.C.
After the pizza was gone and most of the reports were finished, Mac and Harm lounged on the couch, just resting their brains. "Well, its getting kinda late. I guess I better go." Mac said as she slipped on her shoes and began to get up.
"Mac, wait." Harm said as he lightly grabbed her arm. Mac stared at him with questioning eyes. "We never did have that 'talk'." Mac was afraid that this would happen, she had tried to avoid it all night.
"Harm, this really isn't a good time." Mac replied with a stale laugh.
"When is it going to be a good time?" Harm asked, getting impatient.
"Everything's just too complicated right now. There's just too much you don't know...... I have to think. Please just give me time?"
"Oh, I see. So when you need time, I'm just supposed to give in, but when I needed time you just jumped into the arms of another man?" Harm asked harshly. He saw the instant hurt look in Mac's eyes and almost regretted saying it, but he quickly changed his mind. She deserved it. "And what exactly is it that I don't know?"
"Harm, not now, I'm not ready." She almost screamed, fighting back tears, as she grabbed her coat and ran out the door, accidentally slamming it on the way out. She could hear his fist pound against the door on the other side, and him sigh as his footsteps shuffle away from the door. She leaned her head against the door and just let the tears fall. All she ever wanted was on the other side of that door, but the battle between her head and her heart was overbearing. Her mind finally won as she walked toward the elevator.
Harm fell on his couch and turned on this TV, hoping to drown his sorrows his the world of television. When he found out it wouldn't work, he got out his weights and started work out. She tried to release his anger. He wondered why every time he was ready to take the next step with Sarah something happened that screwed it up. Even though he had no idea what that something was. He was sick of this dance they were having, agreeing with the words Mac had said weeks before. He was determined to make this work, no matter what it took he would be with the women he loved.
0253 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN, WASHINGTON D.C.
Mac awoke in a cold sweat, for the hour she was able to sleep she awoke from a nightmare. In the dream, Harm had been shot and as he lay there dying, Mac holding him in her arms, he mouthed 'I love you' as he drifted into an eternal sleep. It was only a dream. It was only a dream, Mac thought, trying to calm herself down. She got up, wrapping in a quilt, walked over to her window, looking at the business of the nighttime street.
She started to think about how screwed up her life was, again. Here she had this great guy who loved her and she loved back and who wanted to give her everything she ever wanted, plus she was carrying his child. This situation could only be complicated for her. There was just so many fill- ins. This 'guy' didn't know about her pregnancy or the possibility that the child was his. He didn't even remember their night together. They couldn't even establish a relationship together for Christ sake. The hours of the night passed by as she continued to try and resolve the crisis in her life.
0714 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac swiftly exited the elevator and entered her office, trying to avoid the possibility of running into a certain Sailor. She quietly shut her door and closed the blinds. She slumped into her chair and let out a sigh of relief. She wanted to avoid Harm for as long as humanly possible. Not any sooner than she could get to work, there was a knock on the door. "Enter." She said reluctantly. A head poked into her office. "Tiner." She replied with relief.
"The Admiral would like to see you in his office ASAP, ma'am."
"Thank you, Tiner."
"You're welcome, ma'am." Tiner said as he exited the office.
Mac pulled herself together and walked toward the Admiral's office. She opened the door, and the color drained from her face as she saw Harm sitting in one of the chairs opposite the Admiral's desk. "Take a seat, Colonel." Mac did as she was told and sat in the chair next to him, trying to avoid eye contact with him.
The Admiral saw the tension between the two officers, but decided not to mention it. "I have just been informed by the SecNav that the Cooks/Bailey case has been rescheduled for 1600 this afternoon."
"Sir?" Mac and Harm said in unison, which made them look up at each other, but as soon as they reached eye contact they turned back toward the Admiral.
Ignoring the response, the Admiral continued. "Apparently the SecNav wanted this case over with as soon as possible, its ruining the Navy rep. So it might be a good idea to have all the info rapped up by the afternoon."
Mac and Harm stood to attention "Aye, aye sir." They said, and they turned and walked out the door.
The Admiral shook his head in pity.
***************************
Harm and Mac walked through the office, both looking toward the floor. Finally, Harm piped up, "So do you want to take an early lunch to work on the case?"
"That will be fine. Meet me in my office at 1100." She stated and scampered off to her office.
******************
1102 ZULU
Harm reluctantly walked into Mac's office. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah." Mac replied cheerfully.
She's gone through a transformation. Harm thought. He guided her out of the office with his hand on the small of her back, which Mac responded with a light gasp. But quickly replaced it with a half smile. The walked down to the cafeteria, got their lunches, and walked out to the courtyard. They sat on a bench and ate their lunches in silence. When they were through neither one knew who should speak first. Finally Mac replied, "The semen from the victim is a match to both Bailey and Cooks, but the knife the girl was stabbed with was never found. It'll be hard to convince the jury that they actually murdered her."
"Yeah, but they had intent...." They continued their conversation on the case until they choice the angle at which they were going to try it. As silence again entered their meeting, Harm brought up another subject.
"Mac, I'm really sorry about what I said yesterday.. I wasn't thinking...." Harm started but Mac interrupted, "Never apologize, it's a sign of weakness." Mac stated trying to lighten the mood. Harm looked down in disappointment, he really wanted to talk to her about this. Mac saw the hurt look in his eyes. "Harm, we can't talk about this now... not here?"
"When then?" He asked with eagerness in his voice. "Tonight, my place. But don't forget the food." She said with a half smile. He gave her a genuine flyboy smile. He grabbed her hand and lightly squeezed, letting it go as they walked back to the office.
