CHAPTER 2

STANDARD DISCLAIMERS WE ALL KNOW THEM

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW

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JAG OFFICES

Mac arrived at the office early.  She wanted to get a jump on the day.  Part of her was excited that her friends were going to meet Cole and part of her was terrified.  How are they going to react to Cole?  She thought as she sifted through the files on her desk.

"Good morning Colonel." Harriet said

"Morning Harriet." Mac replied.

"Cole seems like a nice guy." Harriet said casually.

"Yeah he is." Mac smiled. "Thanks."

"Have you told anyone else about him yet?" Harriet asked.

"Not yet." Mac replied. "Soon though."

"Hmmm." Harriet said as she walked to her desk.

The Admiral arrived and called the daily staff meeting and went over current cases and handed out new ones.  The morning went along and at 12:15 Cole walked into JAG.

"Hello Harriet, how are you?" Cole asked.

"Cole, nice to see you again." Harriet said.

"So is your husband back yet?" Cole asked.

"Not yet. He was delayed." Harriet replied. "Let me tell the Colonel you're here."

"Thanks." Cole said.

"You can go on over, her office is right there." Harriet said pointing to Mac's office.

Cole made his way past the on lookers to Mac's office.

MAC'S OFFICE

"Hey beautiful." Cole said standing in the doorway.

"Hi, how are you?" Mac asked. "Give me a second."

"I'm good. Ok." Cole replied remaining in the doorway.

"Going casual Commander?" The Admiral's voice boomed from behind Cole. Cole turned around to see who was speaking.

"OH excuse me, I thought you were…" The Admiral trailed off.  "Admiral AJ Chedwiggen." He extended his hand.

"Pleased to meet you." Cole replied. "I am Cole Romaine."

"Nice to meet you." The Admiral replied. Mac jumped up from behind her desk.

"Admiral, this is Cole Romaine." Mac said nervously.

"Yes Colonel, we've covered that." The Admiral laughed.

"Right, he is. Cole and I are, we…" Mac stumbled.

"I'm her lunch date." Cole said.

"Very good, carry on." The Admiral said walking way.

"Hello, sorry about that." Mac said.

"It's ok, and who did he think I was?" Cole asked. Before Mac could answer Harm was at her door.

"Hey Mac, do you want to grab a bite and discuss the…" Harm began. "…Oh sorry I didn't know you had someone in your office."

"That's ok Harm." Mac said.

"Hey Mac." Sturgis said walking over. "Can you help me with… oh sorry."

"Cole Romaine, this is Commander Harmon Rabb and Commander Sturgis Turner." Mac said.

"Nice to meet you, call me Harm." Harm said.

"Nice to meet you too, Mac has told me a lot about both of you." Cole said.

"Funny she hasn't mentioned you." Harm said back.

"Harm." Mac glared at Harm.

"Mac it's a joke." Harm said.

"Hi call me Sturgis. It's nice to meet you." Sturgis said breaking in.

"Same here." Cole said shaking his hand.

"Well, we're off for lunch." Mac said.

"Mac wait, we want to get to know Cole." Harm said with a devilish smile.

"Another time Harm." Mac said with a weak smile.

"Good afternoon, everyone." Bud said walking in.

"Bud welcome back. Have you met?" Harm said. "Mr. Romaine was it?"

"No I haven't, I'm Bud. Pleasure to meet you. Has anyone seen Harriet?" Bud stated.

"Same here Bud, I'm Cole. You have a beautiful home." Cole said as Mac smacked her forehead with her palm.

"Ahh thank you." Bud replied.

"So Joel what is it that you do?" Harm asked.

"It's Cole and I am a pilot with American Airlines." Cole said.

"Really. I am a pilot too. Tomcats." Harm said with a smile.

"Yeah, Mac mentioned that." Cole said matching the smile.

"Oh she did?" Harm said he was now standing toe to toe with Cole.

"Bud!" Harriet called out.

"Well it was nice meeting you Cole." Bud said and he went to Harriet.

HARRIET'S DESK

"So, is that him?" Bud asked.

"Yes and wait till I tell you." Harriet whispered.  Harriet then filled Bud in on the evening she had.

MAC'S OFFICE

"So Joel, how long have you been flying?" Harm asked.

"Cole, and I got my license when I was 19. You?" Cole replied.

"Seventeen." Harm said triumphantly. "Where did you go to school?"

"I did my undergrad at Northeastern and my MBA from Brown. You?" Cole challenged.

"Naval Academy and I received my Juris Doctor from Georgetown." Harm said with confidence.

"So Mac where are you going for lunch." Sturgis asked trying to end the testosterone fest.

"I was thinking Panjshir Restaurant on West Broad." Mac said.

"The vegetarian place?" Harm asked.

"Yes, I only eat natural and organic foods." Cole said patting his stomach. "Gotta keep the machine healthy."

"I agree." Harm said. "You are what you eat."

"Well we really should get going." Mac interrupted.

"Nice meeting you all." Cole said and turned to Harm, "I am sure we will be seeing each other again."

"Count on it." Harm nodded as he watched Mac and Cole walk away.

THE BULLPEN

"Where did she meet him?" Harm asked Harriet.

"Bermuda." Harriet answered.  "He seems nice."

"Self assured." Sturgis added.

"Tall, dark hair, confident, nice smile nice eyes." Harriet said trying to make a point.

"If you like that type." Harm grumbled.

"He owns a Cessna." Harriet stated.

"Please a kiddy plane." Harm laughed. "That's for chumps."

"Who's a chump?" Bud asked joining them.

"Mr. Radicchio." Harm said.

"I thought his last name was Romaine." Bud said.

"What does Mac see in that Tofu eating tourist jockey anyway?" Harm mused as he walked to his office.

"He has no idea?" Harriet said looking at Sturgis.

"This is not going to be pretty." Sturgis laughed and walked to his office.

"Harriet does Cole remind you of someone?" Bud asked.

"Oh Bud." Harriet said shaking her head.