"Mackenzie. Drop down and give me fifty now." Essman's voice reached me in
the conference room.
I had come to the room to do a little research on the case I had left out. The guys had not followed me, allowing me to get some work done.
"Sir?" I asked confused.
"I expected you all to have all your loose ends dealt with. I heard today there's someone coming from JAG because you forgot something. I don't like this sort of insubordination. I don't care if it was unintentional or not. Now, follow my orders!"
"Yes, Sir!" I yelled, and hurryingly got down on the floor and started counting push-ups. "One… two… three…" Luckily he didn't know I hadn't written my personal letters yet incase I didn't make it through the assignment. "… Twenty-six… twenty-seven… twenty-eight…" I need to think about the case to get through this, I'll practice properly later. Lieutenant Brandon was accused of fraud on six accounts. "Thirty-four… thirty-five… thirty-six…" He also molested a girl in public, but he landed up marrying her, so that didn't matter. "Thirty-nine… forty… forty-one…"
Just then the door opened and three figures stepped in. I couldn't recognize them from this angle. I stopped.
"Colonel, did I say you could stop?" Essman yelled.
"No. Sir!" I said.
"Then continue, until seventy."
Oh Fuck. "Yes sir. Forty-two… forty-three…" As I continued my ruthless push- ups, I heard Bill's voice:
"Colonel Essman, what is Luitenant colonel Mackenzie doing push-ups for?"
"She left loose ends, when I specifically told her to make sure they were all accounted for. I got word today from one of my men, that there was a JAG member coming in because she forgot something, Sir." Essman replied.
"Well, order her to stop, because these are the JAG members that have come for her." Bill said.
"You heard him Mackenzie. You can stop."
I almost collapsed on the floor, but my pride wouldn't let me and I stood up and in attention. Then I got to look at my visitors: Harm and Bud. I tried not to smile; I doubt I was very successful. The two of them were looking at me, and Harm had his fly-boy grin on. I then looked at Bill.
"You okay Mac?" Bill asked.
"Never better, Sir." I said.
"Good. Now Essman, if you would follow me, we can let these people got to work." Then he addressed me again. "Colonel, go and get yourself cleaned up, the commander will find you later."
"Yes sir." I said.
"Dismissed."
I turned on my heel and then left the room. As soon as I was out of sight I darted for my cabin.
Slit was in the room when I arrived. He was sitting at the table writing what seemed to be one of his personal letters. He was bent over with a pen in his hand and I took a moment to notice his fluid movement. Then I turned to my duffel to look for another uniform.
"What the hell happened to you?" I turned to see Slit looking at me.
"Someone told Essman that JAG was coming today and he made me do fifty. Then when I got to forty-one two people entered and I stopped, so he decided to let me do seventy."
"Damn." Slit said.
"But luckily the people who had entered were Bill, Harm and Bud, so Bill got Essman to lay off."
"Yikes. So, Harm's on board?" He asked. He was up to something.
"Yeah. I have to get cleaned up and then try and find him." I told him quickly, pulling down the sink and washing my face and upper body.
"Well, you can always use this room for the dirty and gritty." He sneered.
"Red light Slit. Oh, and go get lost so I can finish changing."
"Sure, Mac. I'll go and find Harm for you."
"Thanks."
Slit left the room laughing. I could only guess what was on his mind. Probably how I would pounce Harm when given the chance. I smiled and put my uniform on. Then I looked in the mirror and decided to tie up my hair. Maybe I should get it cut short, so that it doesn't interfere. I could probably find someone to do it for me. I'd look into that later.
All I had left were to put my shoes on when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I said, slipping on both of the shoes and beginning to tie them. I was sure it was Slit. I was wrong. I looked up and saw Harm leaning against the desk with his lopsided grin.
Finished with my shoes I stood up with a huge smile. Then I lunged myself at him pressing my lips to his. "I've missed you." I said into his chest.
"I've missed you too." Harm said. His arms were around me and his head was on mine. "I dumped Bud with Charlie, and had him tell me where your room was. I was surprised he knew it so well."
"I share a room with him." I told him. "It was either with him or with Arc."
"Arc?" He asked.
"I'll introduce you to him later." I leaned back and looked into his eyes. I saw a look of what seemed to be jealousy on his face. "Slit's got a girlfriend he's crazy about, and Arc's married." I added just for him.
Harm nodded. "How about the rest of the guys?"
"Well, I'm getting to know Rock. He's okay, but not my type, and the other guys are still harassing me."
"The same one's before?"
"Yeah. Though they haven't done anything in a while. I told them I'd bring them to court on those charges and they've been quiet ever since." I told him, stealing a kiss every other second.
Harm smiled again. "Good."
"Let's get this work done, so that we can spend the rest of the time together." I suggested. I stepped back from Harm, the only connection our hands, and looked up and down him. I hadn't forgotten him. The uniform still looked good on him, and his height made me feel safe with him. "I've missed you so much flyboy."
"I know, ninja-girl, I know. I missed you so much too." Then with one more kiss we exited my cubby and went to find Bud.
Bud and Slit were having a conversation out on deck. We walked up to them and I got a hug from him. "Oh, and this is from Harriet and AJ." He kissed me on the cheek.
"Thanks Bud. Give them both a kiss for me will you?"
"Will do, ma'am." Bud said. I really wish he'd stop calling me that.
"Bud, we thought we'd start on the work," Harm interjected, "Why don't we go into the conference room and get that done first. We'll see Charlie later. Oh, Charlie, before I forget, your sister asked me to tell you not to tell Bill she's pregnant."
Slit and I both looked at each other. "Oops." We said simultaneously, we laughed.
"Hey Slit, if Essman goes looking for me, tell him you don't know where I am." I asked him.
"Will do, Mac. But don't make it long. Rumor's going round we're having a tactic done on ship tonight, and if it's not that it'll be training, so don't eat. Bill says he'll keep some dinner for us."
"Okay." I said. "I'll see you later." Then the three of us headed back for the conference room for two hours of work.
Exactly two hours, fifteen minutes and twenty-four seconds later Harm looked at me. "Is that all Mac?"
"Yes. That's all. That's all I could get out of him, after that he wouldn't tell me anything." I said about the suspect.
"Well, that's more than I got." He declared.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Ma'am," Bud began, "he looked at the two of us and said, 'Where's the pretty colonel and then refused to tell us anything else."
"Yikes. Tough break." I told them. "I do know how you can get the rest of the information out of him."
"I'm all ears Mac." Harm said leaning in towards me. His hands were flat on the table and his eyes pierced mine, what I wouldn't have done to have Bud out of the room right at that moment. I'd have show him just how much of an Energizer Bunny we Marines are.
"Send Harriet." I said plainly.
"Excuse me, Ma'am?" Bud was getting defensive at the very suggestion of using his wife to cross-examine a criminal, with all good reason. I admired his values at that moment and how he stood up straight, directly facing me. Most people when in a defensive position turn slightly to the side and/or bring their arms to cross in front of their chest. Bud did not. He stood before me with an effort to make me re-examine my thoughts, and I did.
"Bud, I can understand how you're being hesitant, but as the fact remains Brandon is attracted to women, especially when they are very pretty, but still look human and attainable. If you don't tell him she's married to you he'll pour her whole story out to her. You have to go because you are really the only link between me, Harriet and the commander," I nodded at Harm. "And Harm, you have to go because you're sitting first chair. Therefore, if the two of you go he can't pull anything cause you'll be there to protect her."
The two of them were silent for quite a while thinking it over. It would work, I new it would, they would just have to try it themselves. It was during this silence that the door finally opened and Arc walked in.
"Hey Mac," he said.
"Arc, this is Harm and Bud," I introduced the three men.
"Pleased to meet you." Then turning to me he said, "Mac, we've got roll call in two seconds. Essman isn't pleased at all. It seems that we might not be going on our ops mission at all."
I looked over at Harm. We both knew this would be good news. I stood up and looked at Harm and Bud. I smiled then formed attention. "If that'll be all, sirs, I need to be there for roll call."
Harm smiled at me and laughed at the look of shock on Bud's face. "That will be all colonel. You are dismissed."
"Aye aye, sir." I stepped back turned and then ran off after Arc who was two steps ahead of me.
The room roll call was being taken in was dark. The lighting in the room was dim. This was definitely the detention hall. In here she had met on many occasions groups that were to go in front of a Judge for either conduct or misuse. Now to be here on her own accord seemed somewhat odd. Everyone was standing around talking. I followed Arc into a corner where Slit stood.
"So, you get all your work done?" He asked when he saw me.
"Yeah, we were running out of things to say with Bud in the room anyway."
Slit smiled. "Harm must be glad to see you again."
"Just as happy as I am to see him. What's going on?" I changed the subject quite quickly.
"Well, there's word going round that we're not going to Afghanistan. They say that Bin Laden is in Pakistan."
"So, we're going to Pakistan." I confirmed.
"The Pakistani government won't let us in. They've got a lot of Bin Laden supporters there and so they're scared that the government will be overthrown."
"So, what's going on?"
Slit shrugged, Arc did the same, and then went over to Jena to see what he knew.
Essman stormed in and looked at us.
"Attention on deck!" Slit yelled and we all formed a line in attention. He walked down the line looking at each one of our uniform, our stature and us. Pleased to find no flaw he stood in front of us.
"At ease." He bellowed.
We stood with our hands behind our back and our legs apart.
"Currently, our government is in conflict with the Pakistani government. The sons-a-bitches won't let us in to go and neutralize the enemy. So, we're being called back home. As to such a time as we will be needed you will all be called together. Until then you will all be reassigned to the same city to as to keep you all together? Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir!" We yelled in unison.
"Good. It will be a month trip back home, as the whole ship will be returning, so I suggest you make the most of your left over time. You will be reporting directly to Captain Scully and you will do what he asks accordingly."
"Why can't we fly out, like we flew in, it would bring us home faster." Rock suggested.
"That would cost our government money, so they have decided we're taking the long way." Bunch of the guys moaned but one of Essman's looks brought them back in attention.
"What about you, sir?" I asked.
"I have three days until my official retirement. Should this group be called into action a new officer will be sent to take charge of you? Do you understand?"
"Yes sir!" We once again said.
"Good. Then I don't want to see your butt ugly faces in front of me again this trip. Dismissed."
"Aye aye, Sir!" We stepped back, turned and then ran out the door.
I couldn't wait to tell Harm! I was so happy. Hopefully they would put me back into JAG then I would really be happy. I ran back to the conference room, but they weren't there. Then I ran to my room, but only Slit was there.
"You seen Harm?" I asked.
"No." He answered.
I rushed to Bill's room and knocked.
"In." He called. I opened the door to see Harm and Bill sitting across from each other.
"Hey." I said entering. I had been welcomed into the room by Bill at any time. He had told me not to be formal if there was no one there, but with Harm I didn't need to be formal at all. "Is it true Bill, are we going home?"
"Yes Mac, it is."
I was so relieved. "Did you hear that, Harm?" My smile was very bright.
"I did ninja-girl." His smile was really bright. Both of our happiness was mirrored in his smile. It was heart stopping, and any woman looking at him could fall dead at the sight.
"Bill, you didn't see this." I said and then ran up to Harm and kissed him so hard, that he seemed to feel just a little weak at the knees and leaned into me. He wrapped both his arms around me, repositioned himself, and then kissed me like a pilot should: straight, leaning down to kiss his girl.
When we released I looked at Bill who was smiling from ear to ear.
"What's so funny?" I asked him.
"Just that I saw something I didn't see and that I'm witness to something that never happened." Bill said cryptically, "Now I understand the CIA…. Sit down Mac before I get dizzy and wish that my wife was here and my brother-in-law was no where near my sister."
"Yes, sir." I said and sat down in a chair close to Harm.
"Harm was just telling me that he leaves tomorrow." Bill said.
I looked surprised to say the least. I knew he would land up going, I had known that from the start. I had even been prepared to not see him for months because I would have been sent out to war. But now, I felt as though something was about to be ripped out of me. My heart tore and I could feel the ripped pieces gasp for life as they turned a dark state of purple. I was sad. I was terrified. I was so hopelessly in love with him that I never wanted to leave his side again. Yet, I am a marine. I am a special operations officer; therefore I am also able to hide any emotion. So, I did.
"Oh." I said hiding my face. "Are you defending Brandon tomorrow?"
"No. That's the day after. The Admiral wants me to be back home so that I can cross-examine the witness one more time."
"Ah. Okay."
"You're allowed to go with him, Mac." Bill said.
I looked at him. His face was just and fair: he was telling the truth. I rationed it: 'I could go back with Harm. I wouldn't have to be away from him for three weeks. On the other hand, I am a marine, and I can and am expected to handle being away from loved ones. I would look incapable, and I still need to work with my team. If they do not find me capable they will taut me more than I have already taken. Though I can take it.' I turned to Harm. "When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. There's only one thing. If you want to come Bud is willing to stay behind." Harm told me.
"Why can't we all go?" I asked.
"Because I'm flying back a F-16 at the same time." He explained to me.
I looked at him earnestly. There was only one thing I could not do as of yet, and that was to ever fly in a plane again. Ever since the incident where we went down, I have feared planes, especially fighter planes. I would never want him in one again if I could help it, yet, planes were his calling, and I would never take that away from him. I sighed. "I can't." I said softly. "Let Bud go, he'll enjoy the ride."
"Mac…" Harm started.
"No, Harm. It's okay. I can't get into that sort of plane yet. I'm just not ready to. I'll see you in two weeks."
"Are you sure?" He was worried, his worry lines on his forehead showed prominently.
I smiled. "Positive." I then stood up. "If you don't mind, Bill, I'd like to steal Harm from you. I haven't seen him in about ten days, and I'm likely not to see him for another fourteen."
"No problem Mac. Just none of this 'I didn't see that' stuff all over my ship: stick it to Harm cabin."
"Aye aye, sir." I said jovially. Then taking Harm's hand in mine I pulled him out of the door.
I had come to the room to do a little research on the case I had left out. The guys had not followed me, allowing me to get some work done.
"Sir?" I asked confused.
"I expected you all to have all your loose ends dealt with. I heard today there's someone coming from JAG because you forgot something. I don't like this sort of insubordination. I don't care if it was unintentional or not. Now, follow my orders!"
"Yes, Sir!" I yelled, and hurryingly got down on the floor and started counting push-ups. "One… two… three…" Luckily he didn't know I hadn't written my personal letters yet incase I didn't make it through the assignment. "… Twenty-six… twenty-seven… twenty-eight…" I need to think about the case to get through this, I'll practice properly later. Lieutenant Brandon was accused of fraud on six accounts. "Thirty-four… thirty-five… thirty-six…" He also molested a girl in public, but he landed up marrying her, so that didn't matter. "Thirty-nine… forty… forty-one…"
Just then the door opened and three figures stepped in. I couldn't recognize them from this angle. I stopped.
"Colonel, did I say you could stop?" Essman yelled.
"No. Sir!" I said.
"Then continue, until seventy."
Oh Fuck. "Yes sir. Forty-two… forty-three…" As I continued my ruthless push- ups, I heard Bill's voice:
"Colonel Essman, what is Luitenant colonel Mackenzie doing push-ups for?"
"She left loose ends, when I specifically told her to make sure they were all accounted for. I got word today from one of my men, that there was a JAG member coming in because she forgot something, Sir." Essman replied.
"Well, order her to stop, because these are the JAG members that have come for her." Bill said.
"You heard him Mackenzie. You can stop."
I almost collapsed on the floor, but my pride wouldn't let me and I stood up and in attention. Then I got to look at my visitors: Harm and Bud. I tried not to smile; I doubt I was very successful. The two of them were looking at me, and Harm had his fly-boy grin on. I then looked at Bill.
"You okay Mac?" Bill asked.
"Never better, Sir." I said.
"Good. Now Essman, if you would follow me, we can let these people got to work." Then he addressed me again. "Colonel, go and get yourself cleaned up, the commander will find you later."
"Yes sir." I said.
"Dismissed."
I turned on my heel and then left the room. As soon as I was out of sight I darted for my cabin.
Slit was in the room when I arrived. He was sitting at the table writing what seemed to be one of his personal letters. He was bent over with a pen in his hand and I took a moment to notice his fluid movement. Then I turned to my duffel to look for another uniform.
"What the hell happened to you?" I turned to see Slit looking at me.
"Someone told Essman that JAG was coming today and he made me do fifty. Then when I got to forty-one two people entered and I stopped, so he decided to let me do seventy."
"Damn." Slit said.
"But luckily the people who had entered were Bill, Harm and Bud, so Bill got Essman to lay off."
"Yikes. So, Harm's on board?" He asked. He was up to something.
"Yeah. I have to get cleaned up and then try and find him." I told him quickly, pulling down the sink and washing my face and upper body.
"Well, you can always use this room for the dirty and gritty." He sneered.
"Red light Slit. Oh, and go get lost so I can finish changing."
"Sure, Mac. I'll go and find Harm for you."
"Thanks."
Slit left the room laughing. I could only guess what was on his mind. Probably how I would pounce Harm when given the chance. I smiled and put my uniform on. Then I looked in the mirror and decided to tie up my hair. Maybe I should get it cut short, so that it doesn't interfere. I could probably find someone to do it for me. I'd look into that later.
All I had left were to put my shoes on when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I said, slipping on both of the shoes and beginning to tie them. I was sure it was Slit. I was wrong. I looked up and saw Harm leaning against the desk with his lopsided grin.
Finished with my shoes I stood up with a huge smile. Then I lunged myself at him pressing my lips to his. "I've missed you." I said into his chest.
"I've missed you too." Harm said. His arms were around me and his head was on mine. "I dumped Bud with Charlie, and had him tell me where your room was. I was surprised he knew it so well."
"I share a room with him." I told him. "It was either with him or with Arc."
"Arc?" He asked.
"I'll introduce you to him later." I leaned back and looked into his eyes. I saw a look of what seemed to be jealousy on his face. "Slit's got a girlfriend he's crazy about, and Arc's married." I added just for him.
Harm nodded. "How about the rest of the guys?"
"Well, I'm getting to know Rock. He's okay, but not my type, and the other guys are still harassing me."
"The same one's before?"
"Yeah. Though they haven't done anything in a while. I told them I'd bring them to court on those charges and they've been quiet ever since." I told him, stealing a kiss every other second.
Harm smiled again. "Good."
"Let's get this work done, so that we can spend the rest of the time together." I suggested. I stepped back from Harm, the only connection our hands, and looked up and down him. I hadn't forgotten him. The uniform still looked good on him, and his height made me feel safe with him. "I've missed you so much flyboy."
"I know, ninja-girl, I know. I missed you so much too." Then with one more kiss we exited my cubby and went to find Bud.
Bud and Slit were having a conversation out on deck. We walked up to them and I got a hug from him. "Oh, and this is from Harriet and AJ." He kissed me on the cheek.
"Thanks Bud. Give them both a kiss for me will you?"
"Will do, ma'am." Bud said. I really wish he'd stop calling me that.
"Bud, we thought we'd start on the work," Harm interjected, "Why don't we go into the conference room and get that done first. We'll see Charlie later. Oh, Charlie, before I forget, your sister asked me to tell you not to tell Bill she's pregnant."
Slit and I both looked at each other. "Oops." We said simultaneously, we laughed.
"Hey Slit, if Essman goes looking for me, tell him you don't know where I am." I asked him.
"Will do, Mac. But don't make it long. Rumor's going round we're having a tactic done on ship tonight, and if it's not that it'll be training, so don't eat. Bill says he'll keep some dinner for us."
"Okay." I said. "I'll see you later." Then the three of us headed back for the conference room for two hours of work.
Exactly two hours, fifteen minutes and twenty-four seconds later Harm looked at me. "Is that all Mac?"
"Yes. That's all. That's all I could get out of him, after that he wouldn't tell me anything." I said about the suspect.
"Well, that's more than I got." He declared.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Ma'am," Bud began, "he looked at the two of us and said, 'Where's the pretty colonel and then refused to tell us anything else."
"Yikes. Tough break." I told them. "I do know how you can get the rest of the information out of him."
"I'm all ears Mac." Harm said leaning in towards me. His hands were flat on the table and his eyes pierced mine, what I wouldn't have done to have Bud out of the room right at that moment. I'd have show him just how much of an Energizer Bunny we Marines are.
"Send Harriet." I said plainly.
"Excuse me, Ma'am?" Bud was getting defensive at the very suggestion of using his wife to cross-examine a criminal, with all good reason. I admired his values at that moment and how he stood up straight, directly facing me. Most people when in a defensive position turn slightly to the side and/or bring their arms to cross in front of their chest. Bud did not. He stood before me with an effort to make me re-examine my thoughts, and I did.
"Bud, I can understand how you're being hesitant, but as the fact remains Brandon is attracted to women, especially when they are very pretty, but still look human and attainable. If you don't tell him she's married to you he'll pour her whole story out to her. You have to go because you are really the only link between me, Harriet and the commander," I nodded at Harm. "And Harm, you have to go because you're sitting first chair. Therefore, if the two of you go he can't pull anything cause you'll be there to protect her."
The two of them were silent for quite a while thinking it over. It would work, I new it would, they would just have to try it themselves. It was during this silence that the door finally opened and Arc walked in.
"Hey Mac," he said.
"Arc, this is Harm and Bud," I introduced the three men.
"Pleased to meet you." Then turning to me he said, "Mac, we've got roll call in two seconds. Essman isn't pleased at all. It seems that we might not be going on our ops mission at all."
I looked over at Harm. We both knew this would be good news. I stood up and looked at Harm and Bud. I smiled then formed attention. "If that'll be all, sirs, I need to be there for roll call."
Harm smiled at me and laughed at the look of shock on Bud's face. "That will be all colonel. You are dismissed."
"Aye aye, sir." I stepped back turned and then ran off after Arc who was two steps ahead of me.
The room roll call was being taken in was dark. The lighting in the room was dim. This was definitely the detention hall. In here she had met on many occasions groups that were to go in front of a Judge for either conduct or misuse. Now to be here on her own accord seemed somewhat odd. Everyone was standing around talking. I followed Arc into a corner where Slit stood.
"So, you get all your work done?" He asked when he saw me.
"Yeah, we were running out of things to say with Bud in the room anyway."
Slit smiled. "Harm must be glad to see you again."
"Just as happy as I am to see him. What's going on?" I changed the subject quite quickly.
"Well, there's word going round that we're not going to Afghanistan. They say that Bin Laden is in Pakistan."
"So, we're going to Pakistan." I confirmed.
"The Pakistani government won't let us in. They've got a lot of Bin Laden supporters there and so they're scared that the government will be overthrown."
"So, what's going on?"
Slit shrugged, Arc did the same, and then went over to Jena to see what he knew.
Essman stormed in and looked at us.
"Attention on deck!" Slit yelled and we all formed a line in attention. He walked down the line looking at each one of our uniform, our stature and us. Pleased to find no flaw he stood in front of us.
"At ease." He bellowed.
We stood with our hands behind our back and our legs apart.
"Currently, our government is in conflict with the Pakistani government. The sons-a-bitches won't let us in to go and neutralize the enemy. So, we're being called back home. As to such a time as we will be needed you will all be called together. Until then you will all be reassigned to the same city to as to keep you all together? Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir!" We yelled in unison.
"Good. It will be a month trip back home, as the whole ship will be returning, so I suggest you make the most of your left over time. You will be reporting directly to Captain Scully and you will do what he asks accordingly."
"Why can't we fly out, like we flew in, it would bring us home faster." Rock suggested.
"That would cost our government money, so they have decided we're taking the long way." Bunch of the guys moaned but one of Essman's looks brought them back in attention.
"What about you, sir?" I asked.
"I have three days until my official retirement. Should this group be called into action a new officer will be sent to take charge of you? Do you understand?"
"Yes sir!" We once again said.
"Good. Then I don't want to see your butt ugly faces in front of me again this trip. Dismissed."
"Aye aye, Sir!" We stepped back, turned and then ran out the door.
I couldn't wait to tell Harm! I was so happy. Hopefully they would put me back into JAG then I would really be happy. I ran back to the conference room, but they weren't there. Then I ran to my room, but only Slit was there.
"You seen Harm?" I asked.
"No." He answered.
I rushed to Bill's room and knocked.
"In." He called. I opened the door to see Harm and Bill sitting across from each other.
"Hey." I said entering. I had been welcomed into the room by Bill at any time. He had told me not to be formal if there was no one there, but with Harm I didn't need to be formal at all. "Is it true Bill, are we going home?"
"Yes Mac, it is."
I was so relieved. "Did you hear that, Harm?" My smile was very bright.
"I did ninja-girl." His smile was really bright. Both of our happiness was mirrored in his smile. It was heart stopping, and any woman looking at him could fall dead at the sight.
"Bill, you didn't see this." I said and then ran up to Harm and kissed him so hard, that he seemed to feel just a little weak at the knees and leaned into me. He wrapped both his arms around me, repositioned himself, and then kissed me like a pilot should: straight, leaning down to kiss his girl.
When we released I looked at Bill who was smiling from ear to ear.
"What's so funny?" I asked him.
"Just that I saw something I didn't see and that I'm witness to something that never happened." Bill said cryptically, "Now I understand the CIA…. Sit down Mac before I get dizzy and wish that my wife was here and my brother-in-law was no where near my sister."
"Yes, sir." I said and sat down in a chair close to Harm.
"Harm was just telling me that he leaves tomorrow." Bill said.
I looked surprised to say the least. I knew he would land up going, I had known that from the start. I had even been prepared to not see him for months because I would have been sent out to war. But now, I felt as though something was about to be ripped out of me. My heart tore and I could feel the ripped pieces gasp for life as they turned a dark state of purple. I was sad. I was terrified. I was so hopelessly in love with him that I never wanted to leave his side again. Yet, I am a marine. I am a special operations officer; therefore I am also able to hide any emotion. So, I did.
"Oh." I said hiding my face. "Are you defending Brandon tomorrow?"
"No. That's the day after. The Admiral wants me to be back home so that I can cross-examine the witness one more time."
"Ah. Okay."
"You're allowed to go with him, Mac." Bill said.
I looked at him. His face was just and fair: he was telling the truth. I rationed it: 'I could go back with Harm. I wouldn't have to be away from him for three weeks. On the other hand, I am a marine, and I can and am expected to handle being away from loved ones. I would look incapable, and I still need to work with my team. If they do not find me capable they will taut me more than I have already taken. Though I can take it.' I turned to Harm. "When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. There's only one thing. If you want to come Bud is willing to stay behind." Harm told me.
"Why can't we all go?" I asked.
"Because I'm flying back a F-16 at the same time." He explained to me.
I looked at him earnestly. There was only one thing I could not do as of yet, and that was to ever fly in a plane again. Ever since the incident where we went down, I have feared planes, especially fighter planes. I would never want him in one again if I could help it, yet, planes were his calling, and I would never take that away from him. I sighed. "I can't." I said softly. "Let Bud go, he'll enjoy the ride."
"Mac…" Harm started.
"No, Harm. It's okay. I can't get into that sort of plane yet. I'm just not ready to. I'll see you in two weeks."
"Are you sure?" He was worried, his worry lines on his forehead showed prominently.
I smiled. "Positive." I then stood up. "If you don't mind, Bill, I'd like to steal Harm from you. I haven't seen him in about ten days, and I'm likely not to see him for another fourteen."
"No problem Mac. Just none of this 'I didn't see that' stuff all over my ship: stick it to Harm cabin."
"Aye aye, sir." I said jovially. Then taking Harm's hand in mine I pulled him out of the door.