Author: MacMackenzie
Rating: PG (for mild language)
Summary: Mac deals with losing her Uncle Matt ;-(
Category: Harm/Mac pairing, Romance/Angst
Disclaimer: UNFORTUNATELY, I do not own the terrific characters of JAG, (especially one very good looking flyboy), and I don't intend to make any profit whatsoever from this story. JAG and all affiliated characters belong to Donald Bellisario Productions. If you want to sue me, I'll go ahead and give you my pocket lint, cuz that's all you'll get. If you're lucky, you might find a moldy dog biscuit, which I've hear go for great money.
~~*~~
1530 Zulu Nov. 8
JAG Headq.
Falls Church Va.
Mac's office
Mac was busy signing her name to the enormous stack of papers piled on her desk when Tiner came through on her intercom, "Ma'am, the Admiral wants to see you in his office immediately".
"Tell him I'm coming Tiner," Mac responded as she rose from her chair and strode out into the bullpen. As usual, there was the constant buzz of activity as people scurried about the office with their duties. While waiting for the Admiral's yeoman to announce her presence, she wondered why the Admiral would request her at such a late time in the day.
After hearing the gruff "Enter", she entered her C.O.'s office and came to attention before him. "At ease Colonel, have a seat," Admiral Chegwidden said as soon as she approached his desk.
Mac relaxed her stance and sat down in one of the leather chairs. "It seems there was an accident aboard the USS Patrick Henry involving a Tomcat crash, no fatalities luckily but the SecNav is none too happy over losing one of the Navy's best jets. He wants Commander Rabb out there A.S.A.P to investigate the incident," the Admiral said as he leaned back in his chair.
"Commander West is presently charged with destruction of property. I am sending Commander Turner with Rabb out to the Patrick Henry tonight to get this cleared, hopefully soon so I can get one very pissed SecNav off my back. Rabb will be defending and Turner will be prosecuting. As expected, their caseloads will have to be handled by someone else temporarily until they can get this investigation wrapped up. I have assigned Turner's cases to Lieutenant Roberts, but Rabb's load is still on him. How full is your plate Colonel?" the Admiral asked while he fished Harm's files from one of the desk drawers.
"Well, the Leckerd case is coming along fine, I am ready for the trial tomorrow, and as for the Dodd court martial, I expect that to be finished at the end of this week sir," Mac said as reached for the files.
"I'll be able to handle his until he can return," the Colonel added, looking through the papers.
"That's fine Colonel, the investigation should take no more that three to four days. Are you sure you'll be able to handle both caseloads Colonel? I know you wouldn't do a job halfway but that's quite a load," the Admiral replied, looking at Mac closely as she ran it over in her mind.
"I'm sure I'll manage it sir, my clients and his will all be represented equally and with the best I have to offer Admiral," Mac stated.
"Very well, if you have any trouble, let me know right away, is that understood Colonel?" AJ asked in his don't-argue-with-me tone.
"Yes sir!" Mac said as she gathered up her files.
"Dismissed!" he said at last and turned back to his papers as Mac left his office.
~~*~~
2017 Zulu
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown, VA
Rinnnngggg!! Rinnnnnggg!
"I'm coming I'm coming!" Mac hollered as she breathlessly pushed open her apartment door. Yanking the keys out of the lock, she dropped her grocery sacks to answer the insistent ringing. "Hello?" Mac said as she tried to catch her breath.
"Is this Colonel Mackenzie's residence?" the voice on the other questioned.
"Yes, this is she, who's calling please?" Mac replied puzzled.
" I'm Officer Gains from Leavenworth prison. I hate to disturb you at this hour but I need to speak with you concerning your uncle, Colonel O'Hara," Gains said.
Uneasiness clenched around Mac's heart as she sat down on the sofa in her living room. 'Please, please don't let anything be wrong with him, please I just can't lose him too' Mac silently pleaded.
Swallowing the rising lump in her throat she responded, "Is something wrong Officer Gains?"
"Colonel Mackenzie, there are two parts I hate about my job at Leavenworth. One is telling a person that their relative has passed away. Two is telling someone that their relative is going to die".
Mac sighed heavily, speaking with a shaky voice, "Go on please".
"Colonel, I won't sugar coat things. You're uncle has been sick the past week and we admitted him to the infirmary earlier today. The doctors had him tested for cancer, and I'm very sorry to report the results came back positive ma'am. He's in really bad shape, the doctor's say he has maybe a month left, if that long."
Mac was sure her heart stopped at that moment, causing her to blurt out " Excuse me? Are you sure you're talking about Colonel Matthew O'Hara?"
"Yes, Colonel, I'm afraid I am. God only knows how much I wish that wasn't the case." Gains said with a sad sigh, "They didn't think it was anything but a flu bug he caught from one of the other inmates, or we would have had him seen about earlier. Colonel, I need you to come see about him as soon as you can. Leavenworth allows terminally ill inmates to live their remaining days at home and we can discuss the living arrangements once you arrive. Hopefully we will work out what's best for the both of you," Gains added.
"I will be there as soon as I can, Officer Gains, and thank you for calling me. May I be allowed to speak with him?" Mac asked.
"I'm sorry Colonel, but at the moment your uncle is getting some much needed rest, but I can assure that you will be allowed to talk with him once you get out here. Please accept my apologies about this ma'am. Nobody knows how hard it is to call people like t is until they have to do it," Gains went on.
"It's okay, Officer Gains, there are some areas of my job that I dislike too, but I have to do them despite how I feel because it goes with my duties. Thank you again and goodnight," Mac said as she managed to hang up the phone.
The reality of it all hit Mac like a ton of bricks…she was really going to lose her uncle, the person who meant most to her, 'besides Harm' the little voice in her head added. Tears sprang to her eyes as she tried hard not to imagine what life would be like without him. She sadly got up from the couch, grabbed her keys, and left her apartment to make the 15-minute drive to the Admiral's home.
~~*~~
2050 Zulu
Somewhere on the Beltway
As Mac drove down the highway, memories of her and Uncle Matt filled her head. Images of him pushing her as a little girl on the swing in his front yard, both of them working together on a dinosaur fossil, the two of them sharing an ice cream at their favorite café, and hiking the trails at Red Rock Mesa. She allowed a small smile as she remembered the many times Uncle Matt had rocked her in his lap when she was sick or tired, always feeling secure with his loving arms wrapped around her.
A lone tear traveled down her cheek as she realized what precious time they had left to spend together. Uncle Matt was her lifeline when all other ropes had been frayed or cut. He loved her like she was his own daughter and was there whenever she needed him, no matter what. Mac had gone as often as she could to Leavenworth when her hectic schedule would allow. The Admiral was more than fair as he allowed her to have two extra days off on the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, giving her enough time to spend with Colonel O'Hara. She cherished every moment she had with her Uncle, but now the most important man in her life was slowly being taken away from her forever.